MSc Anthropology of Childhood, Youth and Education

Anthropology of Childhood, Youth and Education MSc was the first degree of its kind to be established and is still unique in its deep anthropological exploration on what it is to be a child or to be young.

As part of the course, you will look at historic perceptions of childhood in the West to the development of European rights of protection, compared to experiences of childhood in other parts of the world, like the street children of Brazil.

In a module on learning and education you will compare physical development stages, including how learning is acquired and universal patterns of play, to the range of ways children are prepared or educated to fit cultural expectations.

The course’s key organising principle is that understanding children requires the study of how their relations with others – peers, older and younger children, parents, teachers and other adults – inform their practices, identities and world views.

The course addresses the following issues from an anthropological perspective:-

The distinctiveness of this degree derives from an anthropological approach that focuses on the importance of children’s and youth’s perspectives, on the role that education (formal and informal) plays in children’s learning processes, and in the transmission and acquisition of cultural knowledge.

Anthropology at Brunel is well-known for its focus on ethnographic fieldwork. As well as undertaking rigorous intellectual training, you will be expected to get out of the library and undertake your own, original research – whether in the UK or overseas – and to present your findings in a dissertation.

In recent years, Brunel students have undertaken fieldwork in locations across the world, including India, Mexico, Bolivia, Papua New Guinea, China, Nepal, Peru, Morocco, and New Zealand as well as within the UK and the rest of Europe.

A 30 month part-time option of the course is also available. If you wish to be considered for the part-time 30 month version, please make your application for the 24 month part-time route and then contact the Admissions team to request the change to the 30 month duration.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

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Modules

  • SA5618 - Anthropology of Education and Learning
  • SA5550 - Dissertation in Childhood, Youth and Education
  • SA5603 - Ethnographic Research Methods
  • SA5623 - Understanding Childhood and Youth
  • SA5523 - Anthropology of the Body
  • SA5527 - Anthropology of the Person
  • SA5614 - Applied Learning for Children, Youth and International Development
  • SA5621 - Anthropological Perspectives on War and Humanitarian Assistance
  • SA5619 - Critical Perspectives on International Development
  • SA5601 - Ethnicity, Identity and Culture
  • SA5540 - Kinship, Sex and Gender
  • SA5604 - Thinking Anthropologically
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    £17,665 Per Year

    International student tuition fee

    1 Year

    Duration

    Oct 2024

    Start Month

    Sep 2024

    Application Deadline

    Upcoming Intakes

    • October 2024
    • September 2025
    • October 2025
    • September 2026
    • October 2026

    Mode of Study

    • Full Time