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

For admission to the course the student must have a bachelor’s degree in the humanities, social sciences or the behavioural sciences with a major (or its equivalent) in a field relevant to the course, e.g. anthropology, communication studies, education, history, language studies, media studies, political science, psychology, social work and sociology. Documented knowledge of English equivalent to "Engelska B"/”Engelska 6” or an internationally recognized test, e.g. TOEFL (minimum scores: Paper based 575 + TWE-score 4.5, and internet based 90), IELTS, academic (minimum score: Overall band 6.5 and no band under 5.5), or equivalent.

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

In the course which starts on campus gives an overview of Child studies, parallel with an introduction to the interactive Internet-based technology and learning model. The course contains sections in which the resources associated with an interactive learning platform used during the programme, including library resources, are integrated into the exploration of the children and childhood research field. The course also includes sections focusing on the implications of an academic perspective, as well as how one evaluates, uses and cites sources and applies the basic rules for using academic references and quotations. In other parts of the course addresses the forms of scientific discussion and the critical evaluation of academic texts.

The course continues online with additional orientation in the interdisciplinary knowledge area, and by mapping out various theoretical directions and themes in Child studies. This section also includes training in the basics of academic writing.

Teaching and working methods

Lectures and related discussions take place on campus as well as online on an interactive learning platform. In addition to lectures there are seminars, workshops, and group work online as well as on campus. Between the lectures and the seminars the students independently study the course literature, complete the individual and group assignments, and communicate with other students online. Examining seminars, workshops and group exercises are compulsory.
The student must have access to e-mail and Internet. The course is presented in various multi-media formats. In order to guarantee a positive learning situation online, and, in order for the student to be able to actively participate in the course and communicate with fellow students and the teacher, it is therefore important that the student have access to the correct hard- and software. Information concerning the specifications of the equipment necessary for the course can be found in the study guide.
English is the language of instruction.

Examination

The examinations consist of active participation in seminars, workshops and group assignments on campus and online, as well as through individual written assignments submitted online. Detailed information on the examinations can be found in the study guide.

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 carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department