EEP304 Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Education (8)

This subject takes as foundational the value of diversity and difference in early childhood education contexts. Students will examine national policies and cultural factors that create/influence social justice and equity and that may impact on children, educators, families and communities both positively and negatively. The subject aims both to critically examine assumptions that frame practice and shape identity and to offer alternatives so that early childhood professionals can realise their role as agents of change around issues of diversity, difference, social justice and equity.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Northern Sydney Institute
Online
Bathurst Campus
Session 3 (90)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EEP304. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Teacher Education

Enrolment Restrictions

This subject is restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years) or as approved by the respective Course Coordinator or Course Director. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • articulate awareness of personal prejudices and biases;
  • articulate and deconstruct one's autobiography in relation to her/his professional practice;
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of issues related to diversity, social justice and equity for children, families and communities;
  • develop and articulate a critical disposition towards assumptions about children in relation to issues of diversity and difference in our contemporary culture;
  • critically analyse scenarios, recognising issues related to social justice and suggest changes in order to address the issues in positive ways;
  • recognise the power and place of early childhood education in the struggle for social justice and act to provoke thought in others; and
  • develop strategies, pedagogies and curricula for a more inclusive and just practice in early childhood contexts and the broader community.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Definitions: difference and diversity, social justice and equity; colonialism; unearned privilege; dominant discourse; binaries; status and power; ethnicity and race.
  • Identity construction and maintenance.
  • Theoretical constructs and manifestations of identity categories such as sex, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, Indigeneity and ethnicity in early childhood contexts.
  • Understanding diversity through a range of theoretical lenses and the implications of these perspectives for practice in early childhood education.
  • Feminist poststructuralist theoretical frameworks as applied to the ECE context.
  • Social welfare policies and structures.
  • Critical pedagogies and critically reflective practice.
  • Reconstructing practice for social justice.
  • Early childhood professionals as agents of change.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of EEP304 in Session 3 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Critical reflection on diversity and difference
55
2
Design an early childhood program
45

Special Resources

For this subject students require a laptop computer and/or appropriate mobile device.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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