Module description
This module will focus on the experiences of children and young people living in 'troubled times'. Through consideration of case studies - for example, the lives of child soldiers or the case of unaccompanied child migrants – we will explore the ways in which adversity and crises, such as armed conflict, affect the everyday lives, education and mental and physical health of children and young people.
Normative theories of childhood, and perceptions of what children and young people 'need' during their childhood, are dominated by conceptualisations and experiences from the affluent 'West', which often fail to take into account the full range of lived experienced of children and young people from across the globe. Many children and young people are heavily affected by social and political upheaval, armed conflict, pandemics, famine and natural disasters. Their complex experiences problematise Western assumptions about childhood and raise ethical dilemmas about how to respond. Through this module we will consider how well normative theories of childhood enable us to understand the lives of children and young people. Particular attention will be paid to children and young people's vulnerability in such situations and their need of protection, as well as their agency: their ability to shape their lives and those of their communities in incredibly difficult situations.
Assessment details
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Assessment 1 Two seminar-based coursework activities (10%)
Assessment 2: 2,500 Case Study (90%)
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Educational aims & objectives
This module is part of the BA Social Sciences. It contributes in particular to the BA’s: i) international outlook; ii) focus on ‘real world social, political and ethical questions’ that motivate and interest students; and (iii) intention to provide intellectual grounding for careers or work in INGOs, charities, think tanks, politics, public administration, and social advocacy organisations.
Drawing on concepts and research from a variety of fields, this module examines how normative conceptualisations of children and young people’s childhood needs, vulnerabilities and agency are challenged in ‘troubled times’, by which we mean contexts of social and political upheaval and/or natural disasters and other global emergencies. The module focuses on a variety of contexts (that are often caused by adults), including, for example: migration, protracted displacement, armed conflict, pandemics, famine and natural disasters. It considers the impact of these contexts on children’s well-being, education, development, citizenship and mental and physical health. The module will critically examine the ‘vulnerability’ of children, as well as their ability to shape their own lives, and the lives of those in their communities, when living through troubled times.
The module aims to enable students to:
- Develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the impact that living in such contexts has on the lives of children and young people in different areas of the world.
- Critically analyse policy and practice responses to cases where children are affected by such contexts through reference to children’s experiences and perceptions and the ethical issues arising in and from these responses.
- Develop practical transferable skills including the ability to:
- contribute to reasoned oral argument and debate;
- critically analyse and synthesise a variety of written, visual and other material;
- present reflections on an aspect of practice (assignment 1);
- construct a detailed case study using research skills (assignment 2).
Learning outcomes
The module will be taught in the university setting. The teaching format will be one participative lecture per week of 1 hour, and one seminar per week of 1 hour. In weekly lectures, students will consider how normative theories of childhood are challenged by the lived experience of children in troubled times. Where possible, guest lecturers from NGOs and advocacy groups will be invited to speak about their research and work (for example, on child soldiers and unaccompanied asylum seeking children). Seminars will be based on a close reading of texts and/or the consideration of real-life case studies to support students in applying theory to practice in the contexts under consideration.
The assignments require students to work independently and will allow students to conduct research into case studies that interest them. Students will receive advice and support through lectures and seminars; however they will take responsibility for their own work and for contributing to class discussion.
Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The impact of contexts of social and political upheaval, armed-conflict and natural disasters on the lives of children and young people around the globe.
- The value of the relevant empirical and theoretical literature, including key theories of childhood, for understanding the lives of children and young people affected by such contexts.
- The contested nature of key concepts such as vulnerability, protection, agency, reliance and participation as they manifest in the lives of children and young people living in such contexts.
- The areas in which children's rights remain contested for such children and young people.
Cognitive skills
At the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Identify, analyse and communicate key theories for understanding the lives of children and young people and apply them to contexts of social and political upheaval, armed-conflict and natural disasters. *
- Collect and synthesize information and evidence, and assess the relevance and significance of the material gathered for informing responses to children and young people affected by such contexts.*
- Recognise competing perspectives for understanding the lives of such children and young people, and discuss any ethical dilemmas associated with them.
- Critically analyse a variety of academic texts from different social science disciplines.
- Construct and present reasoned arguments.*
Performance and practice
This module will enhance students' performance and practice through:
- Further developing strategies for, and confidence in, reading challenging texts.
- Engagement in oral debate and presentations.*
- Presentation of a policy or practice response by NGOs to children and young people affected by social and political upheaval, armed-conflict and natural disasters.*
- Writing an academic case study, drawing on theory, research and practice examples.
Personal, enabling and employability skills
This module will contribute to students' personal and enabling skills and their employability by:
- Enhancing students' interpersonal and communication skills including their ability to construct and present complex ideas and reasoned arguments both orally and in writing.
- Strengthening students' intercultural and global awareness.
- Requiring students to consider how theories of childhood reflect the realities of real-life problems faced by children and young people around the globe.
- Requiring students to critically analyse and synthesise a variety of written, visual and other materials.
- Further developing reflexivity and critical thinking with respect to ethical issues when responding to children and young people affected by social and political upheaval, armed-conflict and natural disasters.
**In addition, many of the outcomes listed above are relevant to employability. In particular, see the items asterisked.