Education: Early Childhood

Core modules:

Critical Issues in Education and Educational Research

This module introduces students to key issues in education and educational research that will underpin their studies, regardless of which pathway they take through the full-time masters programme. It outlines current and historical and theoretical approaches to education and introduces the key paradigms of educational research. The module also considers critical issues in education and educational research, drawing on the research strengths of the module team focusing on a range of areas including educational psychology, globalisation, disability and inequalities, enabling the module to provide a foundation for other modules on the programme. The module thus offers students an opportunity to develop a critical stance towards some of the most pressing issues in educational research in contemporary societies.

30 credits

Early Childhood 1: Development, Learning and Curriculum

This module enables students to develop critical understanding of learning, development and curriculum in early childhood education. Students will analyse theory, policy and research to evaluate a range of historical, contemporary, national and global perspectives on young children's learning. The module provides students with opportunities to think critically about the location of early childhood education within the broader contexts of social, cultural and political values and priorities. Students will learn about approaches to early childhood education that draw upon examples from Global South and the Global North contexts.

30 credits

Early Childhood 2: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education

This module introduces learners to recent ideas related to contemporary issues in Early Childhood Education. Sessions to be taught include the following: children's rights; quality in Early Childhood Education and care; creativity in arts and contemporary communication practices; popular culture; digital literacies; gender; traditional and digital play; including children in research. This will be followed by student-led presentations on topics related to the above. It is intended that this will prepare students for their assignment.

30 credits

The Practice of Research

This module introduces students to the processes involved in designing an educational research project, conducting the study and completing the research report. The module focuses on research design, identifying and refining a research topic, reflecting on a researcher's philosophical perspective and positionality, formulating research questions and choosing appropriate methods to use in particular instances and settings. It explores the principles of data analysis and outlines issues to be considered in the presentation of findings from a research process. It aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to complete a dissertation in an education-related field.

30 credits

Dissertation

The dissertation is a major part of the MA in Education and associated programmes. The dissertation topic can develop a theme raised during the taught part of the course, or an issue which relates to the specialised research areas covered by the students' own interests. The Course Team provides guidance on the choice of a suitable topic for investigation and advice and support throughout the study period (December to August). A wide variety of study is possible, including empirical studies, theoretical reviews, historical or philosophical investigations. The dissertation is 12,000-15,000 words in length. Each student is allocated a supervisor - a specialist in the research area. Students and supervisors work together over the four months of the dissertation period before submission of the thesis.

60 credits