Undergraduate - UnitEDF4031 - Sociology of early childhood

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Education
Offered	City (Melbourne) Term 1 2014 (Flexible)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Jane Bone

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the sociology of childhood as an important understanding for early childhood educators to inform their work. Particular emphasis is given to children's participation and contribution as a socio-political issue. Students explore sociological issues that are raised in the Early Years Framework for Australia including children's identity, belonging in communities and diversity. Students engage with notions of local and global citizenship from sociological perspectives to critically reflect on children's role in society. With a focus on the present and future, students are encouraged to investigate how early childhood education providers are responding to critical issues raised in the sociology of childhood unit.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

demonstrate an understanding of the sociology of childhood as an important understanding for early childhood educators to inform their work
understand sociological issues that are raised in the Early Years Framework for Australia including children's identity, belonging in communities and diversity
demonstrate the capacity to begin to critically analyse local and global citizenship through sociology of childhood perspectives
have the capacity to critically reflect and respond to the implications for pedagogy and curriculum.

Assessment

Literature review: sociology of childhood (1500 words, 40%)
Research task: children's participation in local community contexts (2500 words equivalent, 60%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Iris Duhn

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

2 contact hours per week

(b.) Additional requirements:

independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week

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

Education - Early childhood and early childhood-primary