BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (final year entry)

This module gives you the skills and knowledge to excel at your dissertation. You’ll gain a thorough knowledge of topics that will prepare you for every stage of your dissertation. You’ll learn how to plan your dissertation, analyse research and write up a powerful argument. You’ll gain a valuable critical awareness of yourself as a researcher, as you get to know the processes involved. You’ll also understand the key ethical procedures of fieldwork, allowing you to work successfully in the field.

You'll learn about education and care policies and practices. You'll look at previous practices and compare them in the four countries of the UK. You'll also study education and care practice in different cultures and countries.

You'll see how education is part of programmes that can help development in countries. Also, you'll look at how provision and policy differs between countries, and you'll look at it from different points of view, such as:

• financial support
• political support
• media perceptions.

To understand how it works in real life, you'll study real projects from around the world. You'll learn about important things in education and care, seeing how different countries develop their education systems.

In this module, you'll become more aware of the portrayal of childhood in different:

• cultures
• media
• throughout history.

You'll look at how people have understood and depicted childhood. including the depiction of schools, teaching professionals, and children themselves. You'll also have the opportunity to choose a specific topic that interests you, so you can dive into researching it.

You'll build on what you already know about learning and growing up. You'll explore different places and spaces that help us learn and develop. By studying and thinking about physical and psychological spaces, you will gain a better understanding of where and how learning can happen. You'll also learn about the role that professionals play in planning and creating these learning environments in different settings.

You'll discuss practices and places that try to address challenges. Also. you'll consider how to make sure these environments are accessible to everyone and celebrate diversity.

You'll learn about different jobs that help and speak up for children, especially those who may be in difficult situations, have less, feel left out, or have no support. You'll study how professionals play important roles in caring for children and their families. These professionals include:

• caregivers
• teachers
• various health professionals
• social workers

You'll also look at how professionals communicate, collaborate, and work together in partnerships. You'll gain an understanding of how these individuals, from different fields, can come together in order to support children's well-being and growth, making their lives better.

You'll study how people think about and treat children, young people, and families in the UK. You'll look at different ideas and beliefs about them, how they interact with society, and how society responds to their needs.

You'll explore different ways that children, young people, and families are raised and influenced by society. You'll also consider the cultural and personal factors that shape policies and practices. As part of the module, you will choose a specific topic to study on your own. You will investigate how society has viewed and supported a particular group of people, whether they are children, young people, or families.

The Dissertation gives you the opportunity to become a specialist in an area of law that interests you most, carrying out an in-depth independent research project with the support of an expert academic supervisor.

You'll strengthen your legal research, critical analysis and written communication skills as you investigate a contemporary legal issue of your choice. Whether you're exploring hate crime, the impact of Brexit, sexual consent or another area aligned with your interests, you'll evaluate complex legal questions, develop well-reasoned arguments and communicate your findings effectively.

The Dissertation provides the opportunity to explore your chosen area of specialism in greater depth while preparing for postgraduate study or a wide range of professional careers.

This module is compulsory if studying one of the named pathways.