course-details-portlet

BARN8008

Contemporary Topics in Childhood Studies

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 5
Level Doctoral degree level
Course start Autumn 2026 / Spring 2027
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Paper

About

About the course

Course content

This course involves critical engagement with selected research topics, debates, theories, and/or methods in interdisciplinary childhood studies. The themes for the lectures, guided readings, and seminars will be collaboratively described and defined with the doctoral students each time the course is offered. The course may be offered in the autumn and/or spring, and will be available at irregular intervals following a special announcement. A separate course description will be created for each instance in which a specific theme is offered under this course code. Participants will critically evaluate contemporary research and scholarship on the topics identified and write a paper that reflects the course objectives, with links to their Ph.D. research project.

Learning outcome

By the end of the course the student has achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

The candidate has advanced knowledge and is in the forefront of contemporary debates regarding selected themes in childhood studies

Skills:

The candidate can formulate relevant research questions and appraise complex academic debates in relation to selected themes for the course.

General competence:

The candidate can carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity and use an independent and critical approach to own and others research

Learning methods and activities

This course runs concurrently with BARN8020

Lectures, guided readings, and seminars. The course is offered when teaching resources are available and can be changed or cancelled if fewer than 5 PhD candidates register. Maximum: 15 PhD candidates

The course runs in the spring or autumn, depending on need.

Compulsory assignments

  • Attending lectures is compulsory

Further on evaluation

Evaluation

Individual paper (10-12 pages) within the remit of the course content and related to the course literature.

Pass/Fail.

Compulsory activities

Participation in class and course activities. 

When repeating a failed exam, the candidate can submit a revised version of a previously submitted paper in the course. If the submission is a revised version of a previously submitted paper, this must be specified in the paper.

An identical version of the exam paper cannot be used directly in the PhD thesis as an article or a chapter. A revised version of the exam paper may be included in the thesis.

Required previous knowledge

Master's degree in social sciences, educational sciences, humanities or equivalent.

PhD students are prioritized for admission.

Maximum: 15 PhD candidates.

The number of places is limited and the first-com principle applies

A minimum of 5 registered PhD candidates is required for the course to be held.

Course materials

Compendium ca 600 pages

Subject areas

  • Childhood Studies
  • Inter-disciplinary child research
  • Social Sciences

Contact information

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Education and Lifelong Learning

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Paper
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2026

Paper
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2027

Paper
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment