MAH5000

Children and society

Associate Professor Naomi White

12 points -2 hour weekly seminar (including workshops)

Objectives Students can expect to acquire a knowledge of the key theoretical perspectives relevant to the study of children and childhood; an ability to apply these theoretical perspectives to critically examine contemporary understandings of, and relations with, children; knowledge about the impact of social policies and practices on children.

Synopsis In this subject, students will critically examine the ways in which sociological theory positions children as subjects. The relationship between the theorising of children and socially constructed understandings of their position in the social structure will also be considered. These socially constructed understandings will be explored though the analysis of social policies and practices affecting children in areas such as education, welfare and the family. Literature which examines the connection between power, the state and minority status, as well as theories dealing with the construction of social categories will be used as frameworks for analysing the changing status and notions of children and childhood.

Assessment Theoretical essay (3500 words): 40% -Policy analysis project (5500 words): 60%

Recommended texts

Briggs F (ed.) Children and families: Australian perspectives Allen and Unwin, 1994
Jamrozik A and Sweeney T Children and society: The family, the state and social parenthood Macmillan 1996 (chapters 5 and 9)

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