Course content

The course will provide an overview of different scientific paradigms and perspectives, and focus specifically on ethnographic approaches and discuss how a focus on children as subjects in research influence the various steps in a research process, such as formulating a research question, preparing an empirical inquiry, access to the field, ethics, collecting data, analysis, interpretation and the making of a research text. This approach and content aim to develop students' reflexivity and qualify students to make informed decisions when planning an inquiry. The course will also focus theoretically and practically on academic writing. The lectures will draw on ongoing empirical research based at the centre as well as from the international milieu of children and childhood researchers.

Learning outcome

The course aims to present theory beyond different methods and techniques in child and childhood research and develop students' ability to reflect critically upon the relation between the purpose of a study, the theoretical and the methodological choices throughout a research process. The course also aims to offer students the possibility to write brief academic texts.
* Theory of science: Develop knowledge about different research paradigms, and theoretical perspectives related to empirical research on children and childhood as a social phenomenon.
* Reflexivity: Through empirical examples, student activities and discussions, reflect upon the relation between overall scientific principles, perspectives and debates – and issues to consider when preparing a research plan.
* Academic writing: Develop knowledge about expectations to an academic text and the different genres through lectures, individual 'trial and failure', based on the students' work with their thesis, and group discussions.

Learning methods and activities

Total lecture hours: 20 hours, total seminar hours: up to 12 hours. The course consists of: (1) A common introduction with lectures. (2) A seminar with presentation and discussion of the individual students' working papers. Students may choose between writing a working paper individually, or together with 1-2 fellow students. Each student will be required to comment on another student's working paper.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved working paper and oral presentation

Recommended previous knowledge

See required previous knowledge.

Required previous knowledge

Admittance to the course requires a bachelor's degree in a social science or humanities discipline, or equivalent.

Course materials

Information will be given at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions