Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit examines the position of children in the social structure of Australian society. It covers the major institutions that shape the experience of childhood and current social concerns about the position of children. Major topics include gender socialisation, children's position within the family and the society, theories of parenting, children's rights, and the child and the state. Students' work in the subject will progress from a review of everyday knowledge of childhood to the development of a critical understanding of the social construction of childhood.

Objectives

As for SCY2803 plus:

students taking this subject at third level will be expected to have developed a theoretical discussion of the sociological issues related to childhood by selecting and applying appropriate sociological theories to an analysis and interpretation of the social and cultural construction of childhood.

Assessment

Assignment (1200 words): 25%
Seminar presentation or group project (1300 words): 30%
Theoretical essay (2000 words): 45%
Third-year students will be expected to read more widely and work at a higher level than second-year students

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Sociology

Prerequisites

Two second-year sociology units

Prohibitions

GSC2203, GSC3203, SCY3803