Unit information: Contemporary Debates in Global Childhood in 2021/22

Unit name	Contemporary Debates in Global Childhood
Unit code	SPOL10024
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Grieve
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will critically analyse the various national and international perspectives on children and young people’s place in contemporary society. These perspectives will be examined through an interdisciplinary approach illustrating the construction of childhood which is effected by both culture and nature. Reference to theoretical debates will be made on various substantive topics including: ; children’s access to education; different global models of parenting; children’s rights - and their access to their rights; the impact of global child poverty, climate change, family policies and healthcare policies on children; the use of power against children, and children and young people’s experiences of violence. Within this the unit will look at governmental and non- governmental responses to the issue of childhood where relevant.

There will be a particular emphasis on children’s rights on a local, national and international level and how the conception of rights is closely linked to cultural values and structural frameworks within one’s society. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and children’s rights and welfare under UK law will be examined in addition to looking at policies, laws and practices in the European and wider context.

Aims

To consider:

• the diverse nature of children and young people’s experiences and their place in society within a national and international context.
• contemporary debates about children and young people’s needs, rights and responsibilities in the UK and elsewhere, with a particular focus on the UNCRC;
• how the conception of rights is inter-related with cultural values and the structural frameworks of one’s society.
• the relationship between the state, parents and children and young people

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit students will be able to demonstrate:

1. an understating of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
2. an understanding of the impact of intersecting factors on the lives of children and young people
3. an awareness of some of the key contemporary theories and debates on children’s rights, needs and responsibilities;
4. an ability to draw on interdisciplinary knowledge to analyse some of the ways in which differing perspectives on childhood are reflected in state policies and allocation of resources; and in approaches to research and theory in this area.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through blended learning involving a combination of weekly synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Small group exercises will be used to foster collaborative learning. Feedback will be provided for formal assessments.

Assessment Information

Presentation (25%) - assesses ILOs 1 & 3, and to a lesser extent 2&4

Essay (2000 words) (75%) assesses ILOs 1,2,3 & 4, with a greater emphasis on 2&4

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOL10024).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.