Sociology of Childhood and Children's Rights MA

This masters degree will:

• introduce you to a range of current theories about childhood and the practical issues of promoting children's rights
• critically explore social constructions of childhood, and the implications these have for professional practice with children
• enable you to take account of children's interests, views and rights, and understand the complex relations between the protection, provision and participation rights defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Features

This masters degree provides the opportunity to:

• develop your critical analytical skills, to improve your professional practice
• gain an understanding of sociological, socio-legal and political theories and concepts of childhood and children's rights, including a recognition of the varied childhoods experienced by children in the richer minority and poorer majority worlds
• understand the rights and responsibilities of people concerned with the care, education, health, welfare, advocacy or control of children and young people
• increase your awareness of the importance of including children's own views when planning and providing for them.

Who is this programme for?

All those working with and for children and interested in the field of children's rights, especially those working in children's services such as health and education, social care and family policy, youth work, the justice system and advocacy work for children and young people.

Entry requirements

A good first degree in social science, media or cultural studies, humanities, education or a related field, or a good first degree in another subject with experience in child care, health, education or children's advocacy. You should preferably have experience of working with and for children.

Core topics

• Theories of childhood and children's rights
• Children's rights in practice
• Researching childhood.

Related topics

• Early childhood education
• Gender, education and development
• Children's rights, citizenship and identities
• Rights and education.

How are you assessed?

By coursework assignments and a dissertation of 20,000 words.

Attendance

Face-to-face evening sessions and a one-week intensive course during the Easter school holiday (spring vacation).

Where do our students go?

Graduates of this masters degree are currently working as:

• nursery manager
• advisors to local and national government
• further and higher education lecturers.

Core modules

• Children's Rights In Practice
• Researching Childhood
• Theories of Childhood and Children's Rights

Recommended modules

• Early Childhood Education
• Gender, Education and Development
• Learning To Live Together: Children's Rights, Citizenship And Identities
• Planning for Education and Development
• Rights and Education