What will I learn on this module?
Diverse Childhoods: Identities and Inequalities will explore the lives of children and their experiences in relation to disability, sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, socio economic status. Diversity matters as it may have an impact upon how groups and individual children are understood by society, contributing to dominant and emergent discourses about youth and childhood. Further, the module will look at the ways in which children are marginalised and discriminated against in society. The module will also look at institutions where some of these issues are encountered. The module, for instance, will draw open theories of feminism, critical disability studies, critical race theory and critical childhood studies theory. Equally, it will focus on oppressive and anti-oppressive practice. This module aims to introduce and critically reflect on theories of inequalities in the wider context of childhood studies. You will critical policy and practice focused on enabling the inclusion of all children and young people. You will also consider the lived experiences of children drawn from empirical work and the way the gap between rhetoric and experience is negotiated.
How will I learn on this module?
On this module you are supported by a series of lectures and seminars specific to the study of Childhood and Early Years. The aim of this module is to provide you with advanced knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of key issues around academic research, policy and practice. This will be achieved through interactive lectures and seminars discussing key texts. You will be expected to do the specified reading and other tasks in preparation for the discussions and presentations during taught sessions. You will also be expected to undertake independent study, drawing on and exploring the wider reading indicated for the module reading list. Activities and learning materials are available on the VLE.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The taught sessions act as a scaffold to support your skills and knowledge development throughout the module. There will also be opportunities during each session for discussion with the teaching staff, about both the taught elements and also the assessment. During your study of the module, you will be working closely with a team of academic staff who are keen to support your academic and personal development needs. Through a well-placed support system, we will collectively ensure that you have a successful academic learning journey. The module content and assessment are designed by experienced and research active academic staff whose area of expertise is reflected in the subject specific focus. The academic members of staff responsible facilitates the student-led discussion seminars for each module and is also responsible for grading and providing feedback on formative and summative assessments.
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
MLO1You will identify and demonstrate how key theories can be applied to childhood and early years.
MLO2. You will critically examine contemporary research within childhood studies.
MLO3. You will identify and critically evaluate international and national policy relating to diverse children and young people.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO4. You will be able to present a well evidenced argument explaining the lived experience of children.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5. You will demonstrate a cultural awareness of both national and international societal inequalities affecting children.
How will I be assessed?
The formative assessment for this module will be group presentations during seminars where you will present on an aspect of inequality relating to children’s lives underpinned by theory. Feedback from peers and tutors will be provided.
All five module learning outcomes will be assessed.
The summative assessment will be a 4, 500 100% written assessment. This will be a written essay examining theories, policy, and practice in relation to children’s lived experiences of inequalities in childhood arguing for the importance of considering these in practice demonstrating an understanding of intersectionality.
All five learning outcomes will be covered in the assessment. Feedback, with grade and comments provided via Turnitin.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Diverse Childhoods: Identities and Inequalities will explore the lives of children and their experiences in relation to disability, sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, socio economic status. Diversity matters as it may have an impact upon how groups and individual children are understood by society, contributing to dominant and emergent discourses about youth and childhood. Further, the module will look at the ways in which children are marginalised and discriminated against in society. The module will also look at institutions where some of these issues are encountered. The module, for instance, will draw open theories of feminism, critical disability studies, critical race theory and critical childhood studies theory. Equally, it will focus on oppressive and anti-oppressive practice. Additionally this module aims to introduce and critically reflect on theories of inequalities in the wider context of childhood studies. You will critically evaluate policy and practice focused on enabling the inclusion of all children and young people. You will also consider the lived experiences of children drawn from empirical work and the way the gap between the rhetoric and experience is negotiated. Through understanding and reflecting critically on the lived experience of children through a range of contexts you will be enabled to work with and empower children in practice. This understanding is vital to anyone wanting to develop a career within the childhood and early years sectors.
Course info
Credits 30
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Part Time
Location City 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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