PED423 Childhood, socialisation and institution cultures

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Master's programme in Education

Teaching language

Norwegian

Course contents

This course is about the socialisation of children and youth, and their life in institutions like pre-school, school and day care facilities for school children. The basis is the historical and theoretical understanding of children, childhood and socialisation, in the light of social and cultural conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on the understanding of the contemporary characteristics: The understanding of socialisation and identity based on cultural diversity, and the diversity of communication- and reaction patterns seen in the light of the global information society. How the demands on the institutions change in light of multi-culture and social change, will also be discussed. The institutions will among other things be analyzed through terms like play and learning, adaptation, self-determination and power. Through theories about socialisation and identity forming, emphasis will be placed on how variations in the form of gender, social class and ethnicity is established, and their consequences in various contexts.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students will

• Have insight in childhood and socialisation in historical and cultural contexts

• Be able to analyse contemporary cultural and social trends of importance for children and youth

• Have thorough knowledge of socialisation- and culture theories

• Be able to apply theories in order to understand the importance of institutions for the lives of children, their childhood and socialization

• Be able to discuss how differences in the form of gender, ethnicity, social class and functional ability are expressed, maintained and established

• Show the ability to reflect critically on pedagogical practices based on theories and empirical data on diversity and cultural change

• Have thorough knowledge about child- and youth culture, and media- and communication culture

• Be able to present current research and theories about children, socialization and the culture of institutions

Examination requirements

An oral, individual contribution at a seminar on a given topic must be approved.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, groups and individual work.

The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

The following must be assessed as a pass:

• Individual term paper, 10 pages, on a selected topic (counts 2/3)

• Oral examination (counts 1/3)

Graded assessment.