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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: SOC3003 Module Title: SOCIOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD
Module Provider: Sociology Short Name: SOC323
Level: HE3 Module Co-ordinator: MORAN-ELLIS JM Ms (Sociology)
Number of credits: 20 Number of ECTS credits: 10
 
Module Availability

Year

Assessment Pattern
Units of Assessment
Methods
Percentage  Weighting
Coursework
2 essays of 2,000 words
25% each
Examination
Written examination
50%
Module Overview

Childhood has long been seen as the domain of psychology and biology, with sociology mainly viewing children in the context of the family or as ‘juveniles’ who pose problems.  The sociology option will explore theoretical and empirical challenges to traditional conceptualisations of children and childhood. A focus on children as social actors in their own right will be developed, and consideration of the range of social policies and regulatory mechanisms that relate to children’s lives will take place within this framework. The notion of the child as an object of concern for the state will be examined alongside different perspectives on children’s rights, parenting, and the interaction of children and society.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims
Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

 

Having completed this module the student should:

 

1.         Have a thorough familiarity with contemporary theorising in the sociology of childhood

 

2.         Be able to critically appraise empirical approaches to children and childhood

 

3.         Comprehend the socio-historic dimensions of contemporary childhoods and relationships with the State

 

4.         Be able to evaluate and analyse social policies relating to children from the perspective of the new childhood studies paradigm

 

5.         Have an insight into emergent trends in the sociology of childhood

 

 

Module Content

The social construction of childhood

 

The social world of children

 

Children and families

 

The history of childhood

 

Children under the professional gaze

 

The abuse of children

 

Children and society in conflict?

 

Children in contemporary : policy and panic

 

The globalisation of childhood

 

Methods of Teaching/Learning

Lectures

Selected Texts/Journals

Hutchby, I & Moran-Ellis, J (eds) Children and Social Competence, Falmer

 

James, A; Jenks, C; Prout, A (1998) Theorizing Childhood, Polity Press

 

James, A & Prout, A (1997) Constructing and Reconstructing Childhood, 2nd edition Falmer

 

Qvortrup et al (1994) Childhood Matters: Social Theory, Practice and Politics, Avebury

 

 

Last Updated

September 2010