Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101265

Coordinator Nicola Burke Opens in new window

Description This subject explores the concept of children's culture and the diversity of cultures to which children belong. The subject focuses on current debates about childhood and children's culture, including the rise of children's consumer culture. Students will gain insights into children's lives and culture by critically engaging with a variety of objects and institutions that are part of children's lives, for example, toys, videogames, children's television programs, films and books. The subject will also examine the role of adults in children's culture, including in marketing and advertising to children.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Other Society And Culture

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Restrictions

Successful completion of 60 credit points of study in currently enrolled program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Engage in key debates about the relationship between children, childhood and children's culture.
2. Situate children's culture in the context of diverse social, cultural, economic and political changes.
3. Identify the varieties of cultures to which children belong.
4. Critique the rise of children's culture and its impact on children's lives.
5. Critically analyse a variety of cultural objects and institutions that are part of children's lives.
6. Identify children as social and cultural agents.

Subject Content

-What is children's culture? What is childhood? Relationship between children's culture and the discourses and societal assumptions about the nature of childhood.
-Historical perspectives on children's culture, for example, the development of books and toys made especially for children.
-Consideration of the diverse social, economic and political contexts that shape and influence children's culture. How can we discuss children's culture when experiences of childhood can vary so widely? Issues such as child labour, children's rights, will
-Children as social and cultural agents - children's play and games; relationship with peers, adults and their environment; children as cultural producers.
-Children's consumer culture key issues and debates - case studies, for example, Barbie, videogames, internet, children's film and television programs, marketing to children - issues and debates, including regulation, violence, adult involvement in childr