SOC06006 2022 Sociology of Childhood and the Family

Understand historical social and cultural constructions of childhood and the family through reference to a range of historical accounts and cultural constructions of childhood and family life

Be familiar with the social construction approach to the study of childhood

Identify a range of research sources using the voice of the child to give visibility to children’s perspectives on core aspects of their lives as they experience them

Describe the diverse influences shaping childhood with specific reference to gender and participation discourses

Demonstrate an understanding of current sociological analyses of families in the Irish context

Teaching and Learning in this module is based on attendance at lectures weekly and reading and discussion of a series of specific case studies and dedicated texts in order to understand the contribution of a sociological analysis to the development of the early years practitioner.

Participation is expected by reading and addressing specific questions about the text at each tutorial. Students are expected to arrive at tutorials with reading completed and ready to discuss. Lectures give an overview of the material addressed in more detial in selected texts.

Assessment of this module requires the learner to demonstrate understanding of sociological perspectives on children as an interest group and the relevance of this appraoch in a policy and practice context. As such the assessment strategy has a focus on research and writing skills and the ability to describe, analyse and apply concepts to a social context.

Assessment 1: 40% Research Project on Childrens Rights Organisation and theri relevance to ECCE

Assessment 2: 60% Investigation of the Situation and Experience of specific groups of children in Ireland

Research Projec 40/60%

1. Sociological perspectives on childhood; examination of key concepts in the study of childhood from socialization to the'new' sociology and critiques
2. Historical and cultural perspectives on childhood: examples from a national and global context
3. Introduction to the social construction approach to the study of childhood: dominant discourses of childhood in western societies: puritan, tabula rasa and romantic discourses; implications for childrens lives
4. Gendered childhood and implications for children's experiences: case study examples
5. Poverty and inequality among children in Ireland; case studies and campaign work
6. Participation: definitions, current trends in policy formation and case study examples
7. Family life and changes in the Irish context: patterns and trends
8. Locating the child’s perspective: research highlighting children views on a range of relevant concerns in their lives: School, Family, Neighbourhood, Being ‘Smart’, fitting in, etc