Faculty of Education

 Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies

Table of Contents

Subject Lists
    Subjects descriptions for students enrolling from 1998 onwards
        Practicum
        Child Development Studies
        Curriculum Foundation Studies
        Curriculum Theory and Practice
        Early Childhood Professional
        Special Research Study
    Subject descriptions for students enrolling prior to 1998
        Australia
        Biology
        Child Development Studies
        Curriculum
        Dance
        Early Childhood Professional
        Foundation Studies
        Interdisciplinary Arts
        Literature Studies
        Research Methods
        Two Dimensional Art

 1. About the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies

 1.1. Overview

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (BECS) is a four-year degree course designed to meet the growing demand for early childhood educators who can work across the diversity of early childhood services within Victoria. The general aim of the course is to educate students in early childhood studies and to provide professional training for students.

The BECS course consists of five major areas of study: Child Development Studies (125 points), Professional Studies in Early Childhood Education (75 points); Curriculum - Foundation Studies (75 points) and Curriculum - Theory and Practice (62.5 points); and Practicum (50 points).

• Child Development Studies is the major study in the degree. Students gain a breadth of knowledge across a range of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches and acquire an in-depth understanding of the literature in key aspects of the subject.
• The Early Childhood Professional Studies sequence concentrates on management theory and practice.
• There is a total of 100 days of Practicum.
• Curriculum is organised into two study sequences: Curriculum Foundation Studies and Curriculum Theory and Practice, and studies the learning roles of a number of disciplines in early childhood education as well as the design and implementation of curriculum.

 1.2. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies can be completed with Honours. Details of the requirements for students commencing the course in 1998 are currently under review. Students will be advised of the structure on enrolment.

 2. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Course objectives

On completion of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies graduates should:

• understand the nature of the early childhood period, defined as 0-8 years;
• have acquired the basic concepts, knowledge and analytical skills of the variety of disciplines which contribute to an understanding of the early childhood period;
• have acquired a thorough understanding of the psychological and physical development of the child in the early childhood period;
• understand the influence of culture, family and community on childhood and child development;
• have acquired specific skills, knowledge and concepts in the major curriculum areas relevant to early childhood education;
• be able to design integrated curricula for children in various settings;
• be able to implement programs for a range of early childhood services;
• be able to critically analyse and evaluate program effectiveness and professional performance;
• understand the diverse roles of the early childhood educator;
• understand the social and political context in which early childhood services operate and its impact on the work of the early childhood professional, children and families;
• understand the managerial and personal skills involved in running early childhood services;
• understand the need for continued reflection and development as a basis for professional practice in early childhood settings; and
• at Honours level, have extended knowledge and critical understandings in early childhood studies and have acquired skills necessary to undertake research.

 3. Enquiries

For further information about this course please contact the Faculty Office, telephone (03) 9344-8285.

 4. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Course structure

 4.1. Overview

The course can be completed in a minimum of four and maximum of ten years.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, you must satisfy the following requirements:

• accumulate a total of 400 points;
• complete Child Development Studies of at least 125 points;
• complete Curriculum Foundation Studies amounting to 75 points;
• complete Curriculum Theory and Practice Studies amounting to 62.5 points;
• complete the Practicum component, which amounts to 50 points over 4 years; and
• complete the Special Research Study or Special Research Study (Honours).

 4.2. Workload

The standard workload for each year is 100 points. Special permission may be granted to enrol in 112.5 points in years other than the first year of the course.

 4.3. Credit

Credit towards the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies may be granted for previous tertiary study and experience. Credit is determined by the Faculty and awarded at the time of enrolment.

 4.4. Course outline for students commencing the course in 1998 onwards

The normal pattern of study for a full-time student is as follows:

First year1
	465-100 Practicum 1	6.25
	465-101 CDS 11: Child Family and Society	12.5
	465-102 CDS 12: Cognitive Development	12.5
	465-103 CDS 13:Physical Development	12.5
	465-104 CFS 11: Literacy & Language	12.5
	465-105 CFS 12: Arts 1	12.5
	465-106 CTP 11: Teaching & Learning	12.5
	465-107 CTP 12: Curriculum Design	6.25
	465-108 ECP 11: Introduction to the Field	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Second year1
	465-200 Practicum 2	12.5
	465-201 CDS 21: Social and Emotional Development	12.5
	465-202 CDS 22: Socialisation Identity & Individuality	12.5
	465-203 CDS 23: Play and Development	12.5
	465-204 CFS 21: Mathematics	12.5
	465-205 CFS 22: Arts 2	12.5
	465-206 CTP 21: Curriculum Implementation and Strategies (0-3)	12.5
	465-207 ECP 21: Safety, Health & Nutrition	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Third year1
	465-300 Practicum 3	18.75
	465-301 CDS 31: Language, Literacy and Numeracy Development	12.5
	465-302 CDS 32: Developmental Differences	12.5
	465-303 CFS 31: Information Technology	12.5
	465-304 CFS 32: Science	12.5
	465-305 CTP 31: Curriculum Implementation & Strategies 3-5	12.5
	465-306 CTP 32: Curriculum Design 2	6.25
	465-307 ECP 31: Regulation & Policy	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Fourth year1
	465-400 Practicum 4	12.5
	465-401 CDS 41: Social Diversity	12.5
	465-402 CDS 42: Assessment & Evaluation	12.5
	465-403 CTP 41: Inclusive Curriculum	12.5
	465-404 ECP 41: Leadership & Advocacy	12.5
	465-405 ECP 42: Administrative Processes	12.5
	465-406 ECP 43: Managing the Centre	12.5
	465-407 Special Research Study	12.5
	OR
	465-416 Special Research Study (Honours)	12.5
Total Points		100.0

 4.5. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1998.

Note that not all electives may be offered in any one year; only those offered in 1998 are listed in this handbook.

The normal pattern of study for a full-time student is as follows:

First year2
	466-114 Foundation Studies	12.5
	466-107 CDS 1A: Perspectives on Development	12.5
	466-108 CDS 1B: Dimensions of Development	12.5
	466-109 CDS 1C: Theories of Play and Development	12.5
	466-110 Curriculum Theory 1A	12.5
	466-111 Curriculum Practice 1B: Applying Theory to Practice	16.7
	466-117 The Early Childhood Professional 1	12.5
	A-level Liberal Studies
Total Points		116.7

Second Year
	466-201 CDS 2A: Aspects of Development	16.7
	466-275 Curriculum 2	16.7
	466-276 The Early Childhood Professional 2	16.7
	B-level Liberal Studies
	TWO CDS Electives from the following:
	466-202 CDS 2B: Theories and Models of Early Childhood Cognitive Development	16.7
	466-203 CDS 2C: Sensory Motor Development	16.7
	466-204 CDS 2D: Language and Literacy	16.7
	466-205 CDS 2E: Concepts of Childhood	16.7
	466-206 CDS 2F: Socialisation	16.7
Total Points		116.7

Third Year
	466-353 CDS 3A: Diversity and Development	16.7
	466-364 Curriculum 3A	16.7
	466-365 Curriculum 3B	16.7
	466-362 The Early Childhood Professional 3A	16.7
	466-363 The Early Childhood Professional 3B	16.7
	TWO CDS Electives from the following:
	466-354 CDS 3B: Gender Development	16.7
	466-355 CDS 3C: Personality Development	16.7
	466-356 CDS 3D: Cross-Cultural Studies	16.7
	466-357 CDS 3E: Social Inequality	16.7
	466-358 CDS 3F: Developmental Assessment and Practice	16.7
	466-359 CDS 3G: Ethical Issues in Child-rearing	16.7
	466-360 CDS 3H: Atypicality	16.7
	466-361 CDS 3J: Moral Development and Education	16.7
Total Points		116.7

Liberal Studies subjects (1)
Second year (B-Level)		Points
	466-210 Biology 2A: Ecology and Behaviour	16.7
	466-212 Biology 2C: Humans in the Environment	16.7
	466-263 Literature Studies 2A: Traditions	16.7
	466-264 Literature Studies 2B: Using Traditions	16.7
	466-272 Two Dimensional Art 2A	16.7
	466-273 Two Dimensional Art 2B	16.7

 5. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours) for students enrolled in pre-1998 course

 5.1. Entry to Honours

To be eligible for admission to the honours degree you must have:

• satisfied the requirements of the pass degree; and
• achieved an H2B grade or above in the core Year 3 Child Development subject CDS 3A, and an average H2A grade in any additional three Year 3 subjects, excluding Curriculum 3B; or have other qualifications deemed by the Faculty Board to be equivalent.

Entry to the Honours program must be approved by the Faculty Board.

Leave of absence is not normally available to Honours students who have commenced their fourth year studies. However, subject to Faculty Office approval, it is possible for students to take a maximum of 12 months leave of absence before commencing their fourth year.

 5.2. Honours requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours), you must:

• complete an additional 100 points; including 50 points in Child Development Studies or approved equivalent studies, and at least 50 points in Research Methodology Studies and an individual project, and
• achieve a final overall average grade of at least H2B.

 5.3. Course outline

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours)
Fourth year (pre-1998 course structure)		Points
	466-415 CDS 4A: Evaluating Developmental Theories	16.7
	466-419 Research Methods A: Introduction to Research Methods	16.7
	466-484 Research Methods B: Individual Project	33.4
	Plus two Electives from the following:
	466-416 CDS 4B: Brain and Development	16.7
	466-417 CDS 4C: Infancy	16.7
	466-418 CDS 4D: Family Studies: Parenting	16.7
	One of these electives may be withdrawn if demand is insufficient.
Total Points		100.0

 6. Pathways program

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies TAFE Pathways Program is designed to give holders of a TAFE Diploma of Community Services (Child Care) the opportunity to upgrade their qualification to degree level by undertaking the BECS course on an external basis.

Students entering the Pathways Program receive 150 points credit towards the BECS course and complete the remaining 200 points externally, normally over four years.

Child Development Studies comprise the major study of the course and all students undertake a combination of core and elective subjects in this area. In the Liberal Studies component students are able to choose one of two disciplines areas to study in a three-semester sequence. These discipline areas are: Biology and Literature Studies. Curriculum and professional studies strand subjects are designed to meet the needs of the early childhood field.

Note that not all electives may be offered in any one year.

The normal pattern of study is as follows:

Course outline
Year One		Points
	466-190 CDS 1C: Theories of Play and Development (External)	12.5
	466-277 CDS 2A: Aspects of Development (External)	16.7
	466-175 Foundation Studies (External)	12.5
	A-level Liberal Studies (External) (8.3 points)
Year Two
	466-366 Curriculum 3A (External)	16.7
	B-level Liberal Studies (External) (33.4 points)
Year Three
	466-393 CDS 3A: Diversity and Development (External)	16.7
	466-367 The Early Childhood Professional 3A (External)	16.7
	One Child Development Studies Elective (External) (16.7 points) from the following
	466-398 CDS 3B: Gender Development (External)	16.7
	466-392 CDS 3C: Personality Development (External)	16.7
	466-397 CDS 3E: Social Inequality (External)	16.7
	466-389 CDS 3G: Ethical Issues in Child-rearing (External)	16.7
	466-396 CDS 3J: Moral Development and Education (External)	16.7
Year Four
	466-370 Curriculum 3B (External)	16.7
	466-394 The Early Childhood Professional 3B (External)	16.7
	One Child Development Studies Elective (External) (16.7 points) from the following:
	466-391 CDS 3C: Personality Development (External)	16.7
	466-331 CDS 3E: Social Inequality (External)	16.7
	466-390 CDS 3G: Ethical Issues in Child-rearing (External)	16.7
	466-332 CDS 3J: Moral Development and Education (External)	16.7

Liberal Studies Subjects (2)
Year One (A-level)		Points
	466-188 Biology 1C: Plant and Animal Biology (External)	8.3
	466-187 Literature Studies 1C: Children's Literature (External)	8.3
Year Two (B-level)
	466-280 Literature Studies 2A: Traditions (External)	16.7
	466-281 Literature Studies 2B: Using Traditions (External)	16.7
	466-254 Biology 2A: Ecology and Behaviour (External)	16.7
	466-211 Biology 2B: Genetics and Evolution (External)	16.7

 7. Singapore Program

First Year
	465-109 CDS11S: Child Family and Society	12.5
	465-110 CFS12S: Arts 1	12.5
	465-208 CDS23S: Play and Development	12.5
	465-209 CTP21S: Curriculum Implementation and Strategies 0-3	12.5
	465-408 ECP41S: Leadership and Advocacy	12.5
Total Points		62.50

Second Year
	465-308 CDS31S: Language, Literacy and Numeracy Development	12.5
	465-309 CFS31S: Information Technology	12.5
	465-310 CTP32S: Curriculum Implementation and Strategies 3-5	6.25
	465-311 CDS32S: Developmental Differences	12.5
	465-409 CDS 41S: Social Diversity	12.5
	465-410 ECP 42S: Administrative Processes	12.5
Total Points		75.00

Third Year
	465-411 CDS 42S: Assessment and Evaluation	12.5
	465-412 CTP 41S: Inclusive Curriculum	12.5
	465-413 ECP 43S: Managing the Centre	12.5
	465-414 Special Practicum Study (Singapore)	12.5
	465-415 Special Research Study (Honours - Singapore)	12.5
Total Points		62.50

 8. Diploma in Modern Languages

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Modern Languages offered by the Faculty of Arts (see Diploma in Modern Languages). Enrolment must be approved by both the Arts Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty Office.

 9. Diploma in Arts

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma of Arts offered by the Faculty of Arts (see Diploma in Modern Languages). Enrolment must be approved by both the Arts Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty Office.

 10. Diploma in Music (Practical)

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Music (Practical) offered by the Faculty of Music. Enrolment must be approved by the Music Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Music Faculty Office.

Subjects descriptions for students enrolling from 1998 onwards

Practicum

Child Development Studies

Curriculum Foundation Studies

Curriculum Theory and Practice

Early Childhood Professional

Special Research Study

Subject descriptions for students enrolling prior to 1998

Australia

Biology

Child Development Studies

Curriculum

Dance

Early Childhood Professional

Foundation Studies

Interdisciplinary Arts

Literature Studies

Research Methods

Two Dimensional Art

Status:                   Official 1998
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 21 17:10
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au