Course content

The course addresses changing paradigms in child research, including childhood as development and childhood as socially constructed. Issues both of a structural nature, which has an implication for children's everyday lives and childhood, as well as children's agency in defining and giving meaning to their lives and activities, will be discussed. Discourse theory perspectives, challenging the split between agency and structure, will be included. Central issues are children's everyday life and social practices in relation to adult(hood), childhood, and related themes such as generation, gender, identity and ethnicity. Varying processes like globalisation, institutionalisation and commercialisation of childhood will be given attention.

Learning outcome

* Make the student familiar with the main theoretical perspectives and concepts within Social Studies of Children and Childhood.
* Generate knowledge about childhood as a social and cultural phenomenon, children's everyday life and the politics of childhood in changing societies.
* Introduce key debates concerning the research of children and childhood, and contemporary perspectives on childhood.

Learning methods and activities

Total lecture hours: 20. Supervision of paper, individually and/or group based. The teaching language is English.

Compulsory assignments

• Attending lectures is compulsory.

Required previous knowledge

Admittance to the course requires an approved master’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