SOC2071 : The Sociology of Childhood (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Judy Richards
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
European Credit Transfer System |
Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the critical analysis of childhood from a range of
sociological and historical perspectives. Students will be made aware of current debates in this sub-field and will be encouraged to draw upon a number of established sociological theories in order to understand and critically explore issues surrounding ‘childhood’ and ‘the child’. Students will also be made aware of the ethical and practical issues associated with researching children.
The module also aims to introduce students to a variety of substantive issues surrounding childhood and ‘the child’ including: childhood and criminality; children as consumers; childhood and risk, childhood and paid work; and childhood and the family. These issues are designed to encourage students to look beyond the contemporary Western model of childhood towards the plurality of childhood experiences across time and space.
A further aim is for students to be made aware of four overarching themes that link together the substantive issues covered in this module:
Firstly, childhood is understood as a socially organised age category as opposed to a natural or inevitable life stage that precedes adulthood;
Secondly, emphasis is placed upon the plurality of childhood experiences, rather than assuming a single universal childhood experience;
Thirdly, this module challenges ‘common sense’ understandings of childhood and the child by following the historical development of childhood since the middle ages, thus unsettling the commonly held assumption that childhood is both a natural or inevitable part of the life span;
Finally the child is recognised as a social actor who interprets, challenges and shapes the social world, rather than a passive receptor of a social world created by adults.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module casts a critical sociological eye over ‘childhood’ in order to unsettle common
understandings of childhood as a natural, universal, fixed and inevitable life stage. The topic is introduced by exploring what is meant by ‘childhood’ and ‘the child’. Cultural understandings are considered alongside the emblematic nature of childhood as, for example, an indicator of the (future) health of society. Also critically explored are ‘expert’ definitions of childhood and child such as Piaget’s model of child development. The question being asked here is, ‘what kind of child is brought into being by such categorisation?’
The module then moves on to give a general overview of the historical development of childhood to reveal how contemporary Western understandings of childhood came into being. Also considered are a range of historical narratives of childhood including ‘new history of childhood’ in which children’s voices are becoming increasingly important.
Building upon this introduction, the module is organised around a number of substantive issues:
Childhood as a life stage is placed within the context of the life course as a whole, including its relationship to other life stages, in particular adulthood and old age. Closely considered is the often contested boundary between childhood and adulthood by looking at Neil Postman’s work on the ‘End of Childhood’ thesis. Postman’s work is brought up to date by considering ‘Tween culture’ and its’ perceived threat to both childhood and the child
The plurality of childhood experiences is considered within the specific and often contentious issue of children who work. The term ‘child labour’ suggests that children need protection from the perceived exploitation of market forces and yet in some parts of the world children view paid work as a necessary and valuable part of their lives. A range of perspectives are considered here which move away from considering the Western model of childhood as the model the rest of the world should aspire to.
The relationship between children and consumer culture is explored as children are becoming powerful consumers in today’s markets. Children’s consumption of IT is also explored, raising the complex dilemma of protecting the child from potential harm on the one hand and encouraging the perceived ‘autonomous spaces’ IT provides for children (the use of social networking sites for example) on the other.
Children and crime is explored, in particular the murder of Jamie Bulger in 1993 by two ten year old boys. We look in detail at the moral outcry following this trial and the models of childhood which were unsettled as a result of this crime. Also consideration is given to how understandings of childhood are enshrined both within the law and the practice of state agencies.
The child is placed within the context of the family. Considered here is state intervention within the family in terms of the construction of the ideal family and the ‘right way to mother’ a child. The work of Foucault and Rose is used to understand how State power works within the four walls of the family home and a study by Walkerdene and Lucey is drawn upon which highlights how democracy begins ‘in the Kitchen’
The module draws upon various research studies involving children but what are the specific issues that arise when researching with children? Finally the methodological and ethical issues associated with research with children will be discussed in the light of the current emphasis upon listening to and valuing the voice and agency of the child. Issues include, representing the voices of children; gaining informed consent from the child; ‘child-friendly’ innovative research methods; and children interviewing children.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Exam preparation session |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 64:00 | 64:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Assessed essay feedback |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Seminars, assumes 4 groups of max. 15 students |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 0:00 | 0:00 | Drop in sessions for assessment feedback. Students sign up for slots. |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 99:00 | 99:00 | N/A |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide students with knowledge of the main current debates within the sociology of childhood. Using the perspectives gained in the lectures, students will be able to critically analyse current topical debates involving childhood and the child. They will also be able to apply a range of sociological theories to inform critical analysis.
Students will have a knowledge of the methodological and ethical issues associated with researching
children.
Finally students will gain a broad understanding of a range of substantive issues associated with childhood and the child and be able to apply this understanding to contemporary topical issues as they arise.
Seminar discussion will encourage students to verbalise their arguments/opinions of an issue, listen to the counter-arguments/opinions of others and consolidate their understanding further. Seminars are structured around specific substantive topics which will encourage students to read in more depth and present what they have read to fellow students. Finally, seminars will encourage students to consider and critically analyse contemporary issues in the media around childhood and the child.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 50 | Seen written examination |
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 2 | M | 50 | Assessed essay. 2,000 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | 2 | M | Essay Plan, Optional |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
An assessed essay encourages students to read widely around a topic and critically engage with the literature. Writing an essay will also teach students how focus upon and order the material that they have read around a particular question. Students will also be expected to both explain and apply a range of perspectives and theoretical arguments to the question.
The essay gives students the opportunity to present a logical, well argued and clearly constructed piece of work on their chosen topic. Assessed essays develop students essay writing skills and aid the development of their own academic writing style.
An examination assesses students’ broader understanding of the module without the immediate support of academic texts and within a specific time frame. Students are encouraged to develop their own revision strategies and manage their time carefully in order to revise effectively. This includes reading widely and being able to apply material to the question set. The examination tests students overall absorption of course material and the appropriation of this material in their own words.
Students can complete and submit an optional essay plan on their chosen essay title.
An alternative form of assessment will be set for exchange students from Non-English speaking home institutions replacing the examination. The alternative assessment is set in accordance with the University Assessment tariff.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SOC2071's Timetable