Syllabus, valid from 2017-01-16

Title

Children's Rights

Swedish title

Children's Rights

Course code

BU123E

Credits

15 credits

Grading scale

UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)

Language of instruction

English

Decision-making body

Faculty of Education and Society

Syllabus approval date

2016-10-10

Syllabus valid from

2017-01-16

Level

Basic level

Entry requirements

General entry requirements + English B.

Merit rating is calculated based on Swedish upper secondary grades achieved, according to specific entry requirement 6/A6.

Main field

No main field.

Progression level

G1N

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

Single Subject Course.

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to explore and analyze childhood and children’s participation on a historical, philosophical, sociological and juridical as well as on a local and global level.

Course contents

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the point of departure for the course as it addresses local and global values of childhood rights and children’s participation in society. Through a historical, philosophical, sociological and juridical discussion of the articulation, declaration and use of the convention, concepts as “in the best interest of the child” and “perspectives of the child” are critically analysed and discussed in relation to different issues in the lives of children. The theoretical framework of the course is mainly educational with references to children’s conditions and rights in social institutions such as pre-school and school.

Learning outcomes

After participating in the course the participants will be able to:

Give a critical account for the content and message of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Analyze different understandings and implementations of the Convention and children’s rights in general, within local and global perspectives.
Critically analyze the Convention in relation to children’s participation and citizenship.

Learning activities

Working forms include lectures, seminars, group work and presentations.

Assessment

The course is examined through an individually written paper. Additionally, the paper is to be presented in a seminar which is examinatory.

Grading criterias is to be served by the course leader at the start of the course.

Course literature and other study material

Archard, David (2014). Children. Rights and Childhood. Routledge. (420 s.)

Cunningham, Hugh (2005). Children and Childhood in Western Society Since 1500. United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited (206 p).

Franklin, Bob (2002) (ed). The New Handbook of Children’s Rights. Comparative Policy and Practice. New York: Routledge (420 p).

Gillet-Swan, Jenna & Coppock, Vicky (2016). Children’s Rights, Educational Research and the UNCRC. Past, present and future. Oxford: Symposium Books. (166 s)

Hendrick, Harry (2005) (ed). Child Welfare and Social Policy. United Kingdom: Policy Press (558 p).

Invermizzi, Antonella & Williams, Jane (eds) (2011). The Human Rights of Children. From Visions to Implementation. Ashgate Publishing. (372 p.)

Verhellen, Eugene (2000). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Belgium: Garant Uitgevers

(179 p).

Additional 200 pages will be distributed during the course.

Course evaluation

Evaluation is an integral part of the course. A concluding oral and written evaluation based on the aims, learning outcomes and methods will serve to further develop the course in the future.