Liverpool Hope University, BA (Hons), Early Childhood Studies and Film Studies

Early childhood studies Level 1: The student studies an introduction to the philosophical and historical background to the early years tradition; the pioneers identified here will remain central to the course, providing the student with a historical understanding of current good practice that incorporates working closely with the family in relation to the needs of the child; this is followed by a holistic examination of child development in relation to physical, social and emotional development. Level 2: this level develops by looking at how young children think and learn and considers the links between cognition, language acquisition and playful learning; this sets the scene for studying how young children learn in the foundation stage, in comparison to international models; a range of other modules is offered which may include: motivation and well-being in young children; creativity and the young child. Level 3: a key area of study at this level is legislation, policy and strategy for early managers, in relation to early years settings and young children; legislation and social policy are constantly developing and the student examines these in relation to early years provision and leadership within a multi-agency workforce; a range of other modules are offered which may include: research project; surviving change, loss and grief in young children’s lives; using information and communication technology creatively. Film studies Level 1: the compulsory module the cinematic eye introduces and guides the student through a study of essential topics such as film form and narrative, film consumption, film theory and filmic representations, gradually increasing their cinematic vocabulary at every stage; the student is also supported by their tutor through a programme of personal development planning which helps the student to understand their own learning and study needs within the context of their subject choice. Level 2: the student has the opportunity to further their understanding in a more specialised area, introduced in year 1, from a choice of modules which may include: film theory: auteur, genre, star; America on film; screenwriting. Level 3: the student selects from a range of modules which may include: the new Hollywood; advanced screenwriting; filming realism and alternatives; film studies dissertation; world cinema; if the student chooses to study film as a major, a dissertation module is compulsory.

This is a combined Honours scheme which allows the student to combine the 2 subjects; early childhood studies is an academic subject that is a dynamic response to the government’s plan to integrate early years education and childcare provision; the student works towards achieving the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) as required by the Children’s Workforce Development Committee (CWDC); throughout the pathway, the student is required to experience early years via a placement so that 1st-hand observations of practice can be made in relation to early years pedagogy; the film studies course offers the student the opportunity to study the historical and theoretical development of film from a wide range of perspectives, including the creative writing process of developing a screenplay.