Postgraduate - UnitEDF6643 - Values in early childhood education

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Synopsis

In this unit students will examine the nature of values and how these are central to the early childhood professional's connectedness with children, families, community and the profession. In this engagement with the ethical dimensions of early childhood education, students will be provided with the opportunity to explore a range of ethical issues including the ethics of care, the commitment to inclusion, the notion of quality and the ethics of researching children. Students will have the opportunity to examine these issues from local, national or global perspectives.

Outcomes

Students completing this unit should be able to:

• understand the nature of values and their link with early childhood education;
• demonstrate an awareness of the complexity, commitments and the ethical dilemmas inherent in the work of an early childhood professional, articulate and defend a position on a chosen topic or issue using their understanding of the ethical dimensions related to this matter; and
• critique the current debates in early childhood education concerned with ethics.

Assessment

Tutorial or conference presentation and paper (equivalent 5000 words) 60% and structured journal (equivalent 3000 words) 40%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jane Bone

Contact hours

3 hours per week local students; (for Singapore students: there is ongoing study and a Face to Face workshop over four days)