What will I learn on this module?
The socio-cultural, economic and political contexts in which we live shape who we are. It is often argued that childhood is a social construction, but the role of space and place in shaping children’s everyday lives is not always understood. Paying attention to how social constructions of childhood are simultaneously spatial constructions is central to critically understanding how certain processes and phenomena contribute to children and young people’s marginalisation and exclusion or facilitate their inclusion and wellbeing in society. In this module you will explore diverse socio-spatial processes across a range of environments and contexts. Through your enhanced understanding of children and young people’s relationship to place, this module will enable you to analyse how they experience social differences and inequalities or develop a sense of belonging. Alongside this there is an aspect of the module that enables you to acquire and become proficient in creative methodologies to critically analyse the diverse socio-spatial contexts of children and young’s people everyday lives, presenting their voices in unique and important ways to key policy actors and practitioners. There are a number of key socio-spatial issues of childhood that will be examined throughout the module, such as health inequalities, therapeutic landscapes, place and wellbeing, gentrification and social exclusion. On completion of the module, you will have the capacity to articulate creative enquiry around the role of space and place in the everyday lives of children and young people.
How will I learn on this module?
On the MA you are supported by a framework of core and option modules which are designed to aid the acquisition of a wide range of skills particular to the humanities and social sciences and specific to the study of childhood and youth. The aim of this module is to provide you with advanced knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of key issues around places, spaces, children and young people; knowledge of relevant research methods and critical theories; appropriate subject-specific skills necessary for the interpretation of children and young people’s experience of places and spaces; and further skills such as communication, self-management, and planning. This will be achieved through interactive seminars discussing key texts and also through discussions around research. They will be accompanied by key lectures, also interactive, around major issues. On-line resources will be drawn upon to further support discussion.
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:
MLO1 You will critically analyse how children and young people’s lives are shaped by socio-spatial processes.
MLO2 You will demonstrate understanding of children and young people’s relationship to place, social differences and inequalities.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO3 You will acquire and become proficient in creative methods.
MLO4 You will critically analyse key theories of space and place in relation to children and young people’s lives.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5 You will demonstrate the ability to articulate creative enquiry around space and place and everyday life.
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment will take place towards the end of the module to support the development of the summative assessment. You will deliver a verbal and creative presentation to all MA students across the options modules. This will enable you to share your learning with your peers. The formative assessment will cover all module learning outcomes. you will receive peer and tutor feedback.
The summative assessment will be Creative Portfolio demonstrating that the student has met the module learning outcomes. This will be 4,500 words and/or the equivalent. We are encouraging students to be creative on our options module assessments and submit a portfolio which is multi-media, including text, image and/or video and audio content.
All five learning outcomes will be covered in the summative assessment. Feedback and grade will be via Turnitin from module staff.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
The socio-cultural, economic and political contexts in which we live shape who we are. It is often argued that childhood is a social construction, but the role of space and place in shaping children’s everyday lives is not always understood. Paying attention to how social constructions of childhood are also spatial constructions is central to critically understanding how certain processes and phenomena contribute to children and young people’s marginalisation and exclusion or facilitate their inclusion and wellbeing in society. In this module you will explore diverse socio-spatial processes across a range of environments and contexts. Exploring children and young people’s relationship to place, this module will enable you to analyse how they experience social differences and inequalities or a sense of belonging. There are a number of key socio-spatial issues of childhood that will be examined throughout, such as health inequalities, therapeutic landscapes, place and wellbeing, gentrification and social exclusion.
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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