Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation

Minor Challenging Youth

ECTS:
Code:
MIPA15/30

This English-taught Minor program presents students with topic surrounding youth and education, thereby focusing on themes that might be understood as challenges in one way or other: We discuss how violence in families and juvenile delinquency impact on development; study the roles of gender, sexuality, and diversity in education, and explore how the images of children and young people changed during history. In lectures, seminars, and project groups students broaden their knowledge on youth and develop a critical approach to understanding youth-related themes and debates.

The 30 ECTS minor comprises the entire first semester (1a+1b). Alternatively, students can sign up for individual courses.

Student capacity

There will be a limit on the maximum number of students that can enroll:
5 students for the 15 EC minor and 35 students for the 30 EC minor.

Deadlines

Deadlines

First enrol for the minor, then, later, you can enrol for individual courses.

  • Enrolment is possible from 24 May 2024 up to 5 July 2024 (12:00 CEST, 5 July 23:59 CEST): please enrol for the minor, either MIPA15
    (15 EC) or MIPA30 (30 EC)
  • From 9 July 2024 - 21 July 2024: students can enrol for the individual courses of their choice.

Please note, in case you enrolled for this minor last year but did not pass one or (max.) two courses, then you do not need to enrol for the minor this year. Instead, you should contact the Student Service Desk by email (owbalie.gmw rug.nl) and mention the course(s) you need to follow again. There are places reserved in each course for students who want to retake the course.

Should you decide not to follow the minor after all, then please unenroll, as capacity is limited.

Course programme

Course description

Educational Ambitions and Child Images in History

ECTS: 5
Lecturer: Johannes Westberg

In his seminal book Centuries of Childhood (1960), the French historian Philippe Ariès argued that childhood is not a self-evident fact, but a historically situated concept that is of a rather late date. That is: childhood has not always existed. Although Ariès has become heavily criticized, historians, sociologists and educationalists have during the last 50 years began to unveil fundamental changes in both our practices and perceptions of childhood.

This course offers an international approach to the history of childhood and education, focusing on the changing educational ambitions an educational settings, images and practices of childhood and youth. Thus, this course covers a series of conceptions of childhood from the early modern era and onwards, and a wide ranging of social, educational and political practices that has target children and adolescents up till present time. As a result, this is also a course the offers an excellent introduction into the history of childhood and education, and an overview of the history of childhood and youth.

Issues in Child-rearing and Challenging Behaviour

ECTS: 5
Lecturer: Steffie van der Steen

Core theme of this course is child atypical development (resulting in challenging behaviour), and the impact of child-rearing practices on this behaviour. First, child atypical development and challenging behaviour will be discussed from an ecological perspective. Second, we will discuss the impact of adverse childhood experiences (i.e. violence and abuse) on the development and well-being of individuals. We will start by discussing definitions of adverse childhood experiences and present prevalence/incidence rates. Next, we will focus on different types of research methodology to study these experiences, risk and protective factors, developmental pathways, and consequences. Lastly, we will focus on policy, that is, intervention and prevention strategies.

Gender and Sexual Development in Adolescence

ECTS: 5

During early adolescence, pubertal development sparks an interest in intimate relationships. It is also during this time, that gender roles become more distinct and peer social regulation increases. In this course, we will study the development of sexuality and gender in adolescents, and what role diversity of sexuality and gender plays. Further, we will evaluate the effectiveness of sexuality education for secondary school students, and what inclusive and comprehensive sexuality education might look like. Seminars serve to consolidate and apply new information, and aim to equip students with knowledge and skills to critically contribute to discussions on gender and sexual development.

Children’s Literature

ECTS: 5
Lecturer: Sanne Parlevliet

Students are familiarized with the role of youth literature in education and for understanding growing up. We will explore the history of youth literature in the Western world, study the most influential genres, analyze images of childhood and discuss important theories on youth literature.

A Socio-Contextual Perspective on Gender and Sexuality

ECTS: 5
Lecturer: Laura Baams

Gender and sexual orientation are examples of social categories of diversity. In this course, we will study meanings of these social categories in relation to access to education, academic success, and processes of in- and exclusion. These processes have a profound impact on young people and shape their futures. Psychological, sociological, and pedagogical perspectives on gender and sexuality will be discussed with respect to educational settings. Seminars serve to consolidate and apply new information, and aim to equip students with knowledge and skills to critically contribute to discussions surrounding gender and sexuality in education.

Diversity and inclusion in Education

ECTS: 5
Lecturers: Mayra Mascareño Lara, Marjolein Deunk

The “typical student” does not exist, instead, classrooms are composed of unique individuals. Although, to some extent, education can take the needs of this heterogeneous group of students into account, education is usually organized around the “typical student”.

At a societal level, we (re)produce particular sets of expectations and stereotypes about different sources of heterogeneity: cognitive, psychological and physical capabilities, ethnic-cultural background, gender or social-economic status. These societal expectations and stereotypes trickle down to educational policies, curriculum and, ultimately, daily classroom practices. As a consequence, educational equality and equity are compromised.

This course includes a critical reflection on the understanding of diversity and inclusion in educational settings, the role teachers and educational policy could play in enhancing social justice, the applicability of the largely US-based body of literature to other cultural contexts, and the positioning of students from 'minority groups' due to the way education is organized.

Last modified:08 August 2024 12.06 p.m.