ICE7053 - International Perspectives on Child Welfare

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Explore policy (and non-policy) for children and families in different parts of the world, developing the ability to compare, contrast and analyse critically different approaches.
Demonstrate critical engagement with the political, economic and social contexts within which social policy for children and families is created and in which practice is undertaken.
Critically evaluate different models of policy and provision for children and families, considering issues of socio-economic inequality and the concept of ‘dysfunction’ and anti-oppressive practice.
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of and analytical approach to concepts of globalisation.
Explore and analyse the effects of international mass media upon children and families within a range of diverse societies.

Content:

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of a range of diverse societies and the impact of globalisation. In reflecting upon a range of diverse societies, students will be encouraged to ‘make the familiar unfamiliar’ and critically reflect upon their own practice from this perspective. Students will be supported to apply critical analysis to modes of practice within a range of social, cultural and economic situations. Topics covered will be as follows:

• The daily lives of children and families within a range of diverse societies
• Practice with children and families within a range of diverse societies
• The process of policy making within a range of political, economic and social contexts
• Examination of the concept of ‘dysfunction’ from a range of cultural perspectives
• Constructions of anti-oppressive practice from a range of cultural perspectives
• Examination of the concept and process of ‘globalisation’ and how this has impacted on children and families within a range of nations
• The role of mass media in globalisation and its complex effects upon societies, particularly with regard to the social and cognitive development of children and young people.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module is taught through seminar work, workshops, group and individual tutorial support, personal study time and provision of multi-media resources via the University VLE. Throughout the delivery, students will be expected to relate theory to practice through personal research. They will be expected to undertake a wide range of personal reading. Much of this will be self-sourced, with ‘starter’ readings provided through Moodle. Students will engage in research activity, which will be both tutor and peer reviewed on an ongoing basis. At the end of Semester 2, they will work in small groups to create an international comparison presentation, for which they will be encouraged to use multi-media resources.

Seminars, learning activities, workshops, tutorials and VLE activities Hours: 12
Intended Group size: Max 24

Small group work
Hours: 6
Intrended Group size: 6-12

On-line activities Hours: 6
Intended Group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 276