CHY4012 - Childhood, Society and Social Policy

Objectives:

(1) understand and analyse the social construction of childhood and different perspectives on childhood;
(2) demonstrate awareness of recent developments in thinking about children, and their application in law, policy and practice, including UNCRC;
(3) demonstrate knowledge of state activity in relation to children within mainstream social policy areas in Britain;
(4) conduct analysis of specific current issues relating to children society and social policy.

Content:

(1) Sociological/social science writings and debates concerning the social construction of childhood; childhood diversity historically and culturally; liberationist writing on children, contrasted with more traditional protectionist or ‘caretaker’ approaches; critiques of all the above;
(2) Actual trends in thinking about children/childhood as applied to policy. The UN convention on the Rights of the Child;
(3) The Welfare State in relation to children in recent decades – to include areas of mainstream social policy (health, education, social services, cash benefits/tax credits) in relation to children;
(4) Further analysis of specific current issues.

Learning and Teaching Information:

In semester one, the module will be delivered by means of lectures and tutorials. In semester two, there will be a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Tutorials will take place part-way through and at the end of each module in order to discuss progress and work towards the assignment and the examination.

Lecture (Semester 1)
Contact hours 20
Number of groups 1

Lecture (Semester 2)
Contact hours 14
Number of groups 1

Tutorials (Semester 1&2)
Contact hours 2

Seminars (Semester 2)
Contact hours 4
Number of groups 1

Assessment: