MSc Childhood Studies

Institution University of Edinburgh
Method At the institution
Location Edinburgh
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MSc Childhood Studies

Objectives The programme aims to provide an advanced understanding of how theories, policies and practices conceptualise childhood. It also aims to provide an opportunity for critical review and analysis of how well policies meet the rights of children, and develop advanced skills in research and consultation with children and young people. Childhood Studies is both theoretically challenging and useful for policy and practice.
Academic title MSc Childhood Studies
Course description Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

    * evaluate a range of conceptual frameworks of "childhood", "child development" and "children's rights", across academic disciplines;
    * discuss critically the key principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;
    * evaluate particular areas of legislation, policy and practice that affect children;
    * undertake direct research and consultation with children and young people.

How You Will Be Taught

Course sessions typically provide an introduction to the topic, structured discussion and student involvement. The core courses use additional methods such as observation or participation in policy activities, video and media, and e-learning. Students are expected to undertake independent study, including attendance at relevant University seminars and external events.

All students will take six semester-length courses (or their equivalent).

Four core courses will normally be required:

   1.

      Children, Childhood and Children's Rights: Theory into Practice
   2.

      Choice of 3 research methods courses:
      (i) Data Collection: Research Skills in the Social Sciences or
      (ii) Core Quantitative Data Analysis for Social Research or
      (iii) Research Methods in Education
   3.

      Children, Childhood and Children's Rights: Law, Policy and Practice
   4.

      Listening to Children: Research and Consultation

Two options courses will be required, taken from the list on the optional courses page or in agreement with the Programme Director. These options include:

    * Africa: Methodological and practical issues
    * Anthropology of Health and Healing
    * Anthropology and International Health
    * Child and Adolescent Development
    * Crime, Justice and Public Policy
    * Curriculum: Context, Change and Development
    * Education and Training Systems in the UK
    * Educational Planning and Administration
    * Education Policy and the Politics of Education
    * Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Child Health
    * Ethics and Education
    * Family Policies in Comparative Perspective
    * Globalisation and Public Health
    * Health Policy Analysis
    * International Development
    * International Perspectives on Education and Training
    * Intimate Relationships
    * Introduction to Health Systems
    * Kinship: Structure and Processes
    * Law and Public Policy
    * Philosophical Foundations of Educational Theory, Policy and Practice
    * Public Health and Health Inequalities
    * Research Design
    * Social Determinants of Health and Public Policy
    * Sociological Approaches to Health and Illness
    * Youth, Crime and Justice

You should not submit substantively the same piece of work for assessment in more than one course although elements of the research proposal from Listening to Children can be revised and included within the MSc dissertation.

Exemption from research skills training

If you display expected levels of research skills in particular areas you can, with the agreement of the Programme Director, claim exemption from particular parts of the research skills requirement. Exemptions from particular modules within the required course Research Skills in Social Sciences will be administered by the Graduate School course team. You would then be expected to take other course units in place of any from which you have an exemption