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Module Content

How do people and communities around the world raise their children, and why? Is there a ‘best practice’ of childrearing? What are the consequences of such childrearing practices, for both caregivers and children?

The primary aim of the course is to develop a holistic understanding of childrearing practices and systems across cultures, and explore how this may influence and interact with child and adolescent development. Taking an interdisciplinary bio-social approach, this course builds on an evolutionary anthropological framework, examining both biological and socio-cultural pathways in childrearing and child/adolescent development. By the end of the course, students are expected to have developed a good understanding of the bio-social causes and consequences of childrearing practices.

Indicative Topics:

• Concepts of child development
• Understanding casual pathways
• Mothering and attachment
• Men as caregivers
• Grandparenting

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Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

• Understand and apply core concepts and theories around childrearing and child development. Understand patterns of childrearing across populations.
• Understand how and why the environment and culture impacts childrearing practices. Understand how and why childrearing practices impact child and adolescent development. Analyse, evaluate and critique concepts, research findings and ‘childrearing norms.’ Learn independently, including managing time effectively.
• Comprehend scientific papers.
• Summarise, evaluate and communicate complex topics verbally and through writing. Communicate and discuss complex topics with peers.

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Teaching Delivery

This course is delivered via weekly 2-hr lectures + 1 hr tutorials. Tutorials are designed around student-led group work, facilitated by the lecturer/teaching assistant. Students are expected to prepare for tutorials in advance by reading compulsory + optional readings each week.