Module FOUN0217: THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE FAMILY AND CHILDHOOD

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0217: THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE FAMILY AND CHILDHOOD

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide a basic understanding of the social and cultural forces that shape identity and experience, using family and childhood as a core theme.
• to encourage an anthropological and sociological awareness of the forms that families and childhoods take.
• to introduce foundational terms and concepts which are essential for further study.

Content

• Introduction: children, families and society.
• the early development of the infant.
• general theories of child development.
• socialisation/enculturation.
• the family as the site of primary influences.
• the nature of family life (case studies).
• marriage and the regulation of reproduction.
• gender socialisation.
• the future of domestic and family living.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• understand the basic variations in household and family living arrangements and locate these within broader social, cultural and economic frameworks.
• demonstrate familiarity with the key theories of socialisation and enculturation.
• display an awareness of the way that childhood varies in duration, meaning and significance, cross-culturally.

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• show command of the basic vocabulary and concepts associated with the anthropological and sociological study of childhood, family and society.

• By the end of the module students will:
• be able to communicate effectively in writing
• be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed by a book review and a written assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Throughout the course exercises and library research will be undertaken. Comments are fed back to individuals and the group.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University