Postgraduate - UnitEDF5908 - Researching childhood, family and community

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Synopsis

In this unit students will learn to critique the constructions of childhood, family and community across cultures and historical periods. In particular, students will analyse images of the child found in local, national and international literature and media, and interrogate the theoretical foundations of these sources. Drawing upon contemporary learning and development theories students will analyse the relationships between children's contexts and the beliefs held about children within the particular communities under study. Visual research methodologies will be employed by students to investigate adult and child perspectives on aspects of everyday life in families and communities.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will have developed:

• Historical and contemporary theories of child development to analyse and critique constructions of childhood, family and community across cultures and historical periods.
• The images of childhood and families found in local, national and international literature and media.
• Skills in use of visual research methodologies to investigate child and adult perspectives of everyday life in families and communities.
• Consider and analyse multiple views of childhood, children and families in relation to the role of the early childhood professional.

Fieldwork

20 days of fieldwork in a range of early childhood learning settings across the 0-2 age range.

Assessment

Satisfactory completion and documentation of professional practice (Equivalent 5000 words; 60%); and Research Project (3000 words or equivalent; 40%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Nikolai Veresov

Contact hours

Equivalent to an average of 24 hours per week including 3 contact hours