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Certificate of Higher Education in Childhood and Youth Studies - Learning outcomes

Educational aims

The certificate aims to develop theoretical and practical knowledge about children and young people. It is designed for students working with or for children and young people, in a wide range of settings, and for students with a general interest in the study of childhood and youth.

The certificate aims to:

  • provide the necessary concepts, theories, knowledge and skills base to understand the lives of children and young people
  • encourage both reflection on and analysis of practices affecting children and young people
  • give you the opportunity to examine your own value base in relation to wider views on childhood and youth
  • develop appropriate analytical, research and conceptual skills needed to link theory, practice and experience
  • develop your knowledge and understanding of children’s rights
  • deepen your appreciation of the diversity of children’s experiences.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this certificate, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

  • a broad general knowledge of the main theories, concepts and principles of childhood studies and developmental psychology
  • the various ways of caring for children and supporting their welfare, including their health and social care
  • the principles, theories and research that underpin and inform policy and practice
  • how ethnicity, religion, caste/class, gender, sexuality and disability impact on children and their development, and the implications of this differentiation for policy and practice
  • the emotional, physical, intellectual, social and cultural aspects of children’s lives from birth to eighteen in a variety of local and cross-cultural contexts.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

  • construct a simple social science argument using appropriate concepts, theories and evidence
  • use examples, illustrations and case studies in presenting an argument
  • select and use different forms of evidence
  • compare and criticise different theoretical positions or arguments
  • identify the links between theoretical knowledge and its application in practical contexts.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

  • plan your study, manage time effectively and meet deadlines
  • learn from feedback and reflect on your own learning processes
  • Accommodate new principles, understandings and evidence and formulate and justify proposals for action in the light of these
  • Identify and reflect on your own values and position and those of others and assess their relationships to policy and practice
  • use ICT appropriately and have developed numeracy skills.

Key skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

  • organise and articulate opinions and argument, taking account of appropriate conventions of academic writing
  • communicate accurately and clearly in styles adapted to the purpose and context
  • read purposefully and critically, identifying and recording what is relevant from a range of resource material, and responding sensitively and critically to diverse viewpoints
  • analyse tasks, plan and manage time
  • learn from a variety of different media and different teaching methods.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding is taught through diverse study materials, including multimedia. You will develop your knowledge and understanding through critical engagement with the material. Audio-visual materials offer opportunities to observe and hear from children and young people and to hear service users, practitioners and researchers. You will work independently with the study materials but are encouraged to form self-help groups with other students communicating by telephone, email, etc. Tutors support your learning in online tutorials.

The assessment process requires you to demonstrate your understanding of key concepts and theories, to present arguments, to develop and evaluate ideas and to show how they apply these to practice. You are encouraged to assess your own progress frequently through activities in the study material.

Key skills are developed through study guide activities and tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) that offer opportunities to practice and improve. Assessment is through TMAs and in some optional modules an end-of-module assessment (EMA).

Professional and practice skills are developed as part of an increased understanding and awareness of the experiences of children and young people, and what constitutes good practice.