What will I learn on this module?
This module will help you begin to explore the concepts of ‘childhood’, ‘youth’ and ‘adulthood’ from personal, historical, and childhood studies perspectives, with a view to questioning the diverse, often contradictory meanings, assumptions, representations, values and attitudes which people - children and adults - attach to these words. You will reflect deeply on your own standpoint. You will be introduced to the concept of childhood as a social construction and will become aware of the range of perspectives on childhood, and the related issues, tensions and debates that exist within the field of Childhood Studies.
The module draws particular attention to the process of representing childhood and the ways in which the kinds of language and imagery associated with the idea of ‘the child’ and ‘childhood’ help shape social attitudes and practices towards children. As you progress through the module you will identify, discuss and explore multiple representations of children and childhood in the contemporary world, for example, in adverts, news items, films and your local environment.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn in a wide variety of ways on this module. You will have a structured programme of interactive lectures and seminars. These will introduce you to important key concepts and ways of thinking about childhood and youth. You will also engage with group discussions which will enable you to consider how others view these concepts. You will be progressively supported to recognise different perspectives on childhood via directed learning tasks and reflective activities. Later in the module you will be supported to conduct relevant fieldwork activities, where you begin to gather and analyse relevant data in an enquiry-based project which you will be supported to undertake.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Tutors will support your learning through a variety of ways on this module. They will provide a programme of lectures which relate to the learning outcomes for the module; these lectures will help you to apply theory to the ways in which children and youth are represented in contemporary culture. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work in smaller groups on specific activities which will support you to generate material, debate ideas and discuss your developing views of key concepts. Material generated during these activities will be made available via the Electronic Learning Portal eLp site, and in some cases will form the basis for later discussions. Contact details for all tutors for this module are available in the module handbook and via the eLp.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be expected to recognise that competing images and ideologies of childhood exist
2. You will be expected to appreciate that the understanding and construction of key concepts is relative to standpoint and social context, and includes moral and political values
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will be expected to identify and gather a range of images, pinpointing and analysing the views of childhood they represent
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. You will be expected to discuss, reflect upon and analyse your own views in relation to concepts of childhood, youth and adulthood and that of others
How will I be assessed?
Summative assessment
A reflective account of your enquiry-based project work on representations of childhood
This task requires you to gather and explore relevant data (MLOs 2,3) in the light of appropriate theory and your developing understandings of constructions of childhood and youth (MLOs 1, 4)
Formative assessment
Before you are required to hand in your reflective account, you will be offered the opportunity to submit a piece of work which will be formatively assessed. The task will require you to reflect critically on the series of activities and discussions you have undertaken in the early stages of the module. Tutor feedback will be provided. This will enable you to adjust your approach, if necessary, before submitting your summative work for grading.
You will also benefit from informal feedback (from tutors, peers and self) throughout the module as you undertake a carefully structured sequence of learning activities and tasks threaded throughout. For instance, you will have the opportunity to undertake short writing activities during the module, which will allow you to gain ‘feedforward’ on your ability to meet the standards and criteria for this module.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
N/A
Course info
UCAS Code W3P9
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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