MBA501 Kindergarten as a field of knowledge

Contents and structure

The course is compulsory and is held in the first semester of the programme.
Kindergarten research is addressed as a field of knowledge and historical and current pedagogical ideas and fundamental problems are taught. In the course, the student will conduct exercises in critical reflection and varied forms of dissemination.

The course examines the concept of "kindergarten knowledge" in a critical manner. The course includes what knowledge can be and how knowledge is regarded, when viewed from different knowledge paradigms that are known from basic training.  There will be investigative and analytical work with children in a kindergarten context, both in practice and as concepts, and the student will become familiar with national and international kindergarten research.
During the course, the student will complete 2-3 days of observation in the field, with a particular focus on issues that are dealt with in the course or that are relevant to this. An important part of the course is the student's personal reflections of the issues relating to the course and his/her own starting point.

Learning Outcome

Upon completing the course, the student will have the following learning outcomes:

The student

• has in-depth knowledge about previous and current understandings of children and childhood.
• has advanced knowledge about the kindergarten as a field of knowledge and a national and international research arena.
• has in-depth knowledge about different knowledge paradigms. 

The student

• can critically analyse and reflect on how recent research about children in a kindergarten context can be read and understood and is relevant for pedagogical activities in kindergartens
• can critically reflect on his/her own professional starting point
• can apply a variety of work methods (theoretical and artistic) in the research and dissemination

The student

• has a critical and independent approach to academic content,
• can disseminate academic issues in writing, multimodally and/or in practice.
• can disseminate academic issues both in the form of popular science and academically.

Entry requirements

No

Teaching methods

The work forms will vary between lectures, literature studies, reflective writing, group work, supervision and practical work with different forms of performative communication.

Compulsory learning activities

• Coursework requirement 1.
  Group work:
  Issues from the course shall be examined in groups. In each group, the students will prepare an issue that has to be approved. Teaching and supervision will be provided during the work process. The work will be presented in a seminar.
• Coursework requirement 2.
  Group work:
  Theoretical and empirical study of the concept of quality in a kindergarten. The group shall plan a one day personnel seminar in which the topic shall be performatively presented in a manner that is inclusive and interesting.
• For both coursework requirements:
  Guidelines will be provided at the start of the course. Those who do not have a coursework requirement approved will be give a new opportunity to present.

Approved coursework requirements are valid for 2 years following approval.

Assessment

Semester assignment.

An article that contributes to the public debate and that is based on the coursework requirements.

6,000 words (+10%). The guidelines for the article will be specified at the start of the course.
The submission deadline will be provided in Studentweb and in the digital examination system.
Grade scale of A-F, where F is a fail grade.

In the event of a new/re-scheduled exam, the same article may be submitted once in revised form within 1 year.