Course content

Globalization, migration and cultural encounters are important contextual frames for the everyday lives of children and young people. In this course, established understandings and values around childhood in Norwegian society, schools and kindergartens are explored with regards to increased cultural diversity and variation in family forms. Issues related to inclusion, belonging, and multicultural upbringing and education is emphasized. The course contributes with insight into relations that create, reproduce, reinforce and reduce social inequality and exclusion in society and education, with focus on the significance of ethnicity, racialization, racism, poverty, gender and (dis)ability. The course builds on research from intercultural education and childhood studies, with particular emphasis on critical and relational approaches such as intersectionality, postcolonial and decolonial theory, as well as other perspectives where power, language and cultural are central.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The student:

• Has insight into various theoretical perspectives on culture, migration and diversity
• Has knowledge about inequality, equality and privilege in social and educational contexts
• Has insight into perspectives on inclusion, exclusion and social justice

Skills:

The student:

• Can reflect on processes that produce and sustain social differences in the everyday lives of children and young people in society and education
• Can reflect on childhood and diversity through intersectional perspectives (e.g. gender, class and ethnicity)
• Can critically reflect on own preconceptions and social position, as well as its significance for interpersonal relationships

General competence:

The student:

• Can explore taken-for-granted understandings around childhood and diversity
• Can analyze complex connections between childhood, diversity and inclusion

Learning methods and activities

Total lecture hours: approximately 20 hours.

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars and supervision. Student-active learning methods are emphasized.

Compulsory assignments

• Assignment

Course materials

Information will be given at the beginning of the semester.