Course

Childism and Contemporary Global Crises (ECM230)

Facts

Course code ECM230

Credits (ECTS) 5

Semester tuition start Autumn

Language of instruction English

Number of semesters 1

Exam semester Autumn

Time table View course schedule

Literature The syllabus can be found in Leganto

Content

This micromodule introduces childism as a critical lens for questioning adult-centered assumptions in knowledge, policy, and practice, and explores how it can reframe responses to global challenges. You will engage with childism as theory and praxis alongside related concepts such as Child Perspective and Children’s Perspective. Through themes of climate justice, intergenerational responsibility, migration, activism, and democratic futures, the module examines how adult normativity shapes knowledge production, sustainable development, and welfare systems. Rather than simply adding children’s voices, childism challenges the structures that marginalize them, calling for a reimagining of justice, democracy, and sustainability beyond adult norms.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate has substantive knowledge of:

  • the core principles of childism as a critical theory and praxis, and can distinguish it from related concepts such as the Child Perspective and Children’s Perspective.
  • how childism can reframe responses to global challenges, including climate justice, migration, and political participation.

Skills

The candidate can

  • applya childist lens to identify and explore adult-normative assumptions in education, policy, or sustainable development practices.
  • critically reflect on and articulate intergenerational injustices in relation to global challenges, informed by interdisciplinary perspectives.

General competencies

The candidate

  • has increased sensitivity to intergenerational equity and children's rights, and integrate this awareness into academic or professional practice.
  • engages in constructive dialogue and critical inquiry across disciplines regarding the role of children in shaping democratic and sustainable futures.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Presentation and individual process report

Team presentation

Weight 1/3

Marks Passed / Not Passed

team submission

Weight 1/3

Marks Passed / Not Passed

Exam system WISEflow

Individual process report

Weight 1/3

Marks Passed / Not Passed

Exam system WISEflow

Participants will be assessed based on a total of three formative assignments:

  • One online team presentation of 10 minutes,
  • One team submission in a digital format (written pdf 2000 - 3000 words, 3 short-form MP4 videos of 50-60 seconds each or 1 MP3 audio podcast of 5-7 minutes),
  • One individual process report of 1000 - 1200 words in pdf format.

Course assessment: Pass/Fail

Coursework requirements

The three formative assignments are obligatory to complete the course and must be passed. In case candidates or teams do not pass a particular assignment, they can resubmit it without having to do all the assignments again. A team can have between 3-6 members. All assignments have equal weight and will only result in an overall pass/fail grade i.e., there is no further grading system.

Method of work

Online

Open for

Open course for all who meet the requirements for general university admissions certification (GSK).

Course assessment

The faculty decides whether early dialogue will be held in all courses or in selected groups of courses. The aim is to collect student feedback for improvements during the semester. In addition, a digital course evaluation must be conducted at least every three years to gather students’ experiences.

Contact

Course coordinator:
Tanu Biswas

Offered by

Faculty of Arts and Education

Department of Education and Sports Science

The course description is retrieved from FS (Felles studentsystem). Version 1