2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC1207 Children's Rights and Social Justice

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Peter Hart
Email: P.J.Hart@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores the development and implementation of children's rights through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in both national and international contexts. The underpinning philosophies associated with how rights are ascribed, the nature of citizenship and the relationship of the individual to the State are explored along with critiques against this approach and arguments opposing the rights of children. The module provides you with an opportunity to explore from a variety of perspectives the tensions for service providers in balancing competing rights of children, the gap between rhetoric and reality inherent in policy development and legislation, and the theoretical tensions associated with attributing human rights on a universal basis. You will explore case studies to investigate the experiences of marginalised children and young people and consideration is given to how rights based approaches might impact on their everyday worlds.

Objectives

This module investigates the development of children's rights through an exploration of the development and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in both national and international contexts.
It aims to:
- Introduce the underpinning philosophies associated with how rights are ascribed, the nature of citizenship and the relationship of the individual to the State, including the perspectives of those who oppose the rights approach as it is applied to children
- Explore, from different perspectives, the tensions for service providers in balancing the competing rights of children, the gap between rhetoric and reality inherent in policy development and legislation, and the theoretical tensions associated with attributing human rights on a universal basis
- Explore case studies to investigate the experiences of marginalised children and young people and consider how rights based approaches might impact on their everyday worlds
- Reflect on how the competing demands for rights are balanced within various aspects of service provision and how meaningful participation can be promoted
- Reflect critically on how children's rights are currently implemented

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate familiarity with theoretical concepts related to children's rights including children's agency, citizenship, inequality and social justice
2. Understand the distinction between different types of rights, how these are ascribed and how they feature in both legislation, policy and practice
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding about how children's rights relate to the provision of services in the UK
4. Use evidence to construct a coherent and structured argument related to the development and implementation of children's rights.

Syllabus

Indicative content

An introduction to rights and social justice, considering the different theoretical perspectives and particular issues related to children.

An introduction to the UNCRC, exploring the ‘3 Ps’ in relation to children’s rights and social justice and how they are understood in different national and cultural contexts.

Exploring the challenges of developing international agreements on human and children’s rights.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	3	2.00	6.00
Private study hours			172.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will be provided with key readings to discuss each week. Additionally students will be expected to research their own case studies and conduct wider reading around children's rights and social justice.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module is structured around debates, discussion, the analysis of case studies and other weekly tasks providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the key concepts on the module. Thus tutors will be able to monitor student progress towards the assessment.
Group tutorial sessions will be provided to support students selecting specific essay titles.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/10/2023

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD