MA Childhood and Youth Studies

Course Summary

MA Childhood and Youth Studies is based on an informed and critical approach to the academic study of childhood and youth and is intended to reflect both the desires and ambitions of postgraduate students and the philosophical traditions and current developments in the social studies of childhood and youth.

This taught Masters course has been developed for postgraduate students or senior professionals interested in specialised or advanced study of childhood and youth. It will, therefore, be of particular interest to those wishing to be or already employed in the children and young people’s workforce. In line with recent international developments in social studies of childhood and youth, the MA Childhood and Youth Studies is transdisciplinary in approach but has a strong emphasis on perspectives drawn from sociology, social policy, geography, anthropology and history. The course is informed by the United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) framework and draws on current methodological standpoints in childhood and youth research that emphasis participation. It is committed to adopting a ‘child/young person – centred’ philosophy throughout, and reflects the principles of protecting the rights and interests of children and young people and the increasing importance of participation. The changing conditions of childhood and youth and the ways in which children and young people themselves experience and understand their everyday lives is emphasised.

Course Aims

The aims of the MA (including PG Dip/PG Cert) Childhood and Youth Studies are:

• To offer an innovative, dynamic and flexible programme that critically considers developments in the academic study of childhood and youth and the changing contexts of childhood and youth in a globalised world.
• To critically explore the cultural and social constructions of childhood and youth and the implications that they have had and continue to have on children and young people’s everyday lives.
• To advance students’ knowledge of the complexity of understanding the relationship between children’s rights, the ideologies and responsibilities for welfare and the lived realities of children’s and young people’s diverse experiences.
• To provide a robust theoretical framework for students to develop an integrated and critically aware understanding of childhood and youth studies and to cultivate a critical and analytical approach to contemporary methodological advances in childhood and youth research. 
• To develop in students a range of intellectual skills reflecting both the ethos of lifelong learning and the rigour required at M level, a high level of student autonomy and self-direction in order to facilitate the student to demonstrate initiative, originality alongside integrity and ethical judgement in their advanced scholarship and to become influential and effective specialists in the field of childhood and youth studies.

These aims will inform the aims of individual modules.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes are the measurable skills, understanding and attributes able to be demonstrated by the student in fulfilment of the course aims. The learning outcomes have been informed by the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland (2008)||| and augmented by outcomes which reflect the course philosophy and the distinctive transdisciplinary nature of Childhood and Youth Studies.

Upon completion students will be able to demonstrate:

• A systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of contemporary issues and recent developments which are at, or informed by, the forefront of childhood and youth studies.
• A comprehensive understanding of the appropriate techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship and originality in their application of that knowledge and in addressing issues in relation to children and young people.  
• A conceptual understanding of children’s rights and welfare that enables the student to evaluate critically complex issues, both systematically and creatively, to evaluate improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Advanced scholarship of childhood and youth studies through a critical evaluation and analysis of methodologies and previous/current research to propose new research questions and directions.
• The skills required to exercise independent learning and to develop these skills to a high level so as to work with self-direction and originality, to communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences so as to contribute to the academic study of childhood and youth.