Childhood and youth studies is one of the fastest growing disciplines in the UK; it’s studied by people who work with, or who are interested in the lives of, children and young people, both nationally and internationally. You don’t have to work with children or young people to study this module, but you should be curious about their experiences – including those of migration, disability, inequality and sexuality – as well as in their digital and spiritual lives. Based on cutting-edge research, this module explores many different contexts of children’s and young people’s lives in a challenging and rewarding way.
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Fee
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05 Oct 2024 |
Jun 2025 |
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| Registration closes 12/09/24 (places subject to availability) Click to register
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This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2026.
What you will study
This module will introduce you to some of the central theoretical debates in childhood and youth studies, as well as discussing emerging ideas about disability, social capital, spirituality, mental health and the role of psychology. Framed by understandings of children’s rights, the study weeks tackle issues of cultural relativism, inequality and children and young people’s role in the consumer world. A variety of authors wrote the study weeks, and they show the vibrancy of the debates within childhood and youth studies and the contemporary nature of the research. Structured study skills activities throughout support your study at postgraduate level.
Module topics include:
- Children, young people and: disability; race; sexuality; gender identity; politics; forms of violence; their cultural worlds
- Children and: food; their families
- Children's: mental health and illness; rights and cultural relativism; spirituality; voice, participation and agency
- Reconciling childhood studies and child psychology
- Inequalities and the social and cultural capital of childhood
- Transnational childhoods
- Digital childhoods
Vocational relevance
The theoretical emphasis of this module makes it suitable for both those working with children currently and those who wish to do so in the future; and for those who are interested in understanding children’s and young people’s role in the contemporary world. Its emphasis on study skills and the support it provides make it an ideal first module in a masters programme.
Entry
You must have the minimum of a:
- bachelors degree (in any subject) from a UK university, or
- professional qualification equivalent to a UK bachelors degree, or
- qualification from a university outside the UK and equivalent to a UK bachelors degree.
If you’ve any doubt about the suitability of the module, talk to an adviser.
Outside the UK
Synchronous tutorials and communications could be difficult to deliver to students outside the UK due to time differences. If you can’t attend the synchronous tutorials or make synchronous communications, you’ll have to use asynchronous alternative methods, such as watching recorded tutorials and emailing questions.
Preparatory work
The module website will open to registered students two weeks before the module starts. You might find it helpful to explore the guidance ‘supporting your study’ that includes activities designed to develop familiarity and confidence with some of the tools you’ll encounter in the module’s online environment. We also suggest you look at the page on postgraduate study skills.
Our badged open course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, will introduce you to the nature of masters-level study. It offers essential preparation for pursuing your learning at this level – and is free.
Qualifications
E808 is a compulsory module in our:
E808 is an optional module in our:
If you have a disability
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components might not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader.
If you have a learning difficulty or disability that could impact on studying online please do speak with us and your tutor so that where possible reasonable adjustments can be made to facilitate your participation.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
Study materials
What's included
- Access to the module study materials via the module website
- One printed reader, Children and Young People’s Worlds, edited by Heather Montgomery and Martin Robb.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll have a named tutor who will support your studies and mark and comment on your assignment work; you can also seek academic advice and guidance from them. Your tutor will offer support through email, telephone and online forum discussions. Additionally, there will be online tutorials. We’ll advertise tutorials before the module starts; E808 tutors will take them, but depending on the tutorial, not necessarily your own named tutor. We recommend you book online to attend these tutorials.
It's not compulsory for you to interact or collaborate with others in your tutor group. We do encourage a sharing of ideas and experiences with your peers through asynchronous forums as this is an important way in which you can broaden your knowledge and understanding of children, young people and education across different contexts. However, alternative ways of working can be facilitated.
Assessment
You can find the assessment details for this module in the facts box.
Students also studied
Students who studied this module also studied at some time:
Future availability
Children and young people’s worlds (E808) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2024.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2026.
How to register
To register a place on this module return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.