Module XAE-3036:
Identities in Childhood

Module Facts

Run by School of Education and Human Development

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Anne-Marie Smith

Overall aims and purpose

*NOTE: for 202-21 this module will run across six weeks from 9 Nov to 16 Dec ** This module is underpinned by an understanding of childhood and youth as elements that are socially constructed, and explores the intersection of gender, race, and ethnicity in the context of children and young people’s lives. What it means to be a ‘boy’ or a ‘girl’, and ideas around ‘masculinities’ and ‘femininities’ in contemporary society will be explored in relation to contexts such as education, the media, family, and peer cultures. Through the lenses of gender and race, the module explores how children and young people’s identities are shaped, portrayed and negotiated in contemporary society. The module aims to encourage students to challenge stereotype and prejudice, and to think about the complexities involved in the pursuit of equality and social justice in childhood and youth.

Course content

Weekly sessions will be based on key readings and will involve group discussions, debate as well as lecture and workshop content. Key areas of content include: Concepts of gender and race Intersectionality White Privilege the self, social identity, children & young people's sense of self Institutional racism and sexism - the role of media and education Gender schema theory 21st century & redefining gender norms Gender identities Heteronormativity and young people's sexual identities Ideals of beauty and the role of fashion brands and marketing Hegemonic masculinity Dominant discourses of femininity and beauty Stereotyping and prejudice

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Excellent: A- to A* A comprehensive and well-informed (making excellent use of research) knowledge and understanding of: social ideas of race and gender; how institutions and popular culture influence children and young people's knowledge of race or gender; the impact of sexism and racism on children and young people's identities.

threshold

threshold: D-, D, D+ A satisfactory knowledge and understanding of: social ideas of race and gender; how institutions and popular culture influence children and young people's knowledge of race or gender; the impact of sexism and racism on children and young people's identities.

good

Good: C-, C. C+ A good knowledge and understanding (making some good reference to research) of: social ideas of race and gender; how institutions and popular culture influence children and young people's knowledge of race or gender; the impact of sexism and racism on children and young people's identities.

Learning outcomes

  1. identify and critically discuss the impact of gender construction on the lives of children and young people

  2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of race and gender as socially constructed ideas

  3. Critically engage with dominant ideas of masculinity and femininity and their potential impact on the identities of children and young people

  4. Critically evaluate the role played by popular media and institutions in shaping children and young people’s identities and understandings of gender and/or race

  5. Critically analyse, discuss and reflect upon the effects of sexism and racism in society generally and on children and young people in particular

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Critical review of two children's films

Write a critical review of two children’s films/tv shows (e.g Disney), focusing on their representation of different groups in society; consider issues relating to race and gender.Consider the potential impact on children’s sense of identity, making use of key literature and ideas covered in semester 1.

 50
COURSEWORK Creative pesentation in pairs

Representation of a 21st century boy and/or girl: Based on current research and debates, create an original representation of a 21st century boy and/or girl; your ‘creation’ should address issues of gender stereotyping and sexism in society.

 50

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

Independent research, reading and task preparation for weekly sessions.

 167
Lecture

Fortnightly lectures of 2 hrs each

 22
Seminar

Fortnightly 1hr seminars to follow on from lectures

 11

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Resources

Courses including this module