Introduction to Child Studies, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Child Studies

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen within the humanities, social sciences or the behavioral sciences with a major relevant to the programme. 
  Examples of fields:
  - anthropology
  - education
  - history
  - communication studies
  - media studies
  - language studies
  - psychology
  - social work
  - sociology
  - political science
  or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

•  use an interactive Internet-based educational technology and learning model in the learning process
• describe the basic rules and regulations related to advanced studies;
• account for and apply the rules for the treatment of academic references and the principles of source criticism
• give and receive constructive criticism
• understand the implications and consequences of plagiarism
• describe the fundamental theoretical perspectives in research on children and childhood
• academically analyse and integrate a limited area of interdisciplinary knowledge within the area of children and childhood through reading and discussions, and express this both orally and in writing

Course content

The course starts with an overview of child- and childhood studies, as an interdisciplinary area of knowledge. Further the fundamentals of various theoretical orientations and themes that have been developed in the area, such as research on children’s interaction and play, children’s culture and child culture, children’s rights and child policy, as well as the shifting meaning of childhood in time and space. A number of central theoretical concepts are introduced, such as children’s perspectives, child perspective, and child rights perspective, as well as different conceptions of the child and of childhood. Finally, the course encompasses treatment of the basics of academic writing.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching in this course is carried out online and consists of lectures, seminars and group work. In addition, the student will engage in independent studies.

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Examination

Examinations in the course consist of:

• oral presentation with visual aids in a group of students, grading scale: UG
• individual written assignment, grading scale: EC

A passing grade (E) in the course requires grade E in the individual written assignment as well as a passing grade in all other examinations in the course. Higher grades are based on the individual written assignment.

More detailed information is available in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department