466-205 CDS 2E: Concepts of Childhood

Credit Points:

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• demonstrate an awareness of the extent to which current debates on child development are influenced by fundamental disagreements about the nature of the child;

• understand the way in which differing concepts of childhood lead to diverse views on child development, child rearing practices and education;

• demonstrate an awareness of how theories of child development and child rearing practices are embedded in an historical context;

• show a knowledge of the kind of argumentation and evidence used to support differing theories of child development; and

• analyse the way in which theories of child development influence observation and evaluation of child behaviour.

Content:

A study of a number of differing historical concepts of childhood and how these have led to differing child rearing practices. The ways in which empirical studies of early childhood have assumed particular views of infancy.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Cleverley J and Phillips CD, Visions of Childhood, Allen and Unwin Sydney 1987.