Global Philosophies & Worldviews and Early Childhood

GLOBAL PHILOSOPHIES & WORLDVIEWS

*This course is for 2025 entry only

*subject to validation

We live in a global society, and every day the apps on our phones and computers bring us new ideas and opinions from across the world. So, how do people negotiate this media-saturated world with its diverse - and sometimes apparently irreconcilable - ways of understanding the big questions? How do people coexist with others whose worldview is radically different to their own? What makes for a global citizen? 

This Major challenges you to grapple with these - and similar questions. You will explore what can be learned from the ‘wisdom’ of different traditions in our pluralist contemporary world - chiefly by asking how other people have worked through questions like these. In responding to this question you will explore in depth how non-Western philosophical and religious traditions have tackled them. 

You will also look at the ways that Western philosophers and Jewish, Muslim and Christian theologians have looked at these issues. Along the way you will look at how people form - and reform their worldview. You will ask such questions as does scientism lead to a reduction in human capacity for engaging with reality? Is the Western secularisation model fundamentally colonialist? 

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The undergraduate programme in Early Childhood Studies provides a higher level of academic study that will extend your knowledge and understanding of children in their early years. We hope to ignite your curiosity as we explore young children’s development and interaction with the world and that in understanding the inequalities that children face locally and globally, you will grow as advocates for young children’s needs and rights.

The Early Childhood team aim to provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment for all our students through a high level of tutor support, access to exceptional University resources and engagement with our multidisciplinary teaching team with wide experience in research, practice and policy in the field. Together with the vital ingredient of your commitment as a student, these elements will enrich your learning experience. We also aim to enhance this where possible through engaging invited speakers and field visits to relevant spaces in Liverpool, a city rich in community connection and cultural experience.

The degree is taught by academics from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Sociology, Education, Philosophy and Psychology. The teaching team are all actively involved in research and have published in their specialist fields. They are all members of the thriving Liverpool Hope Childhood Research Forum and contribute to a range of research conferences both nationally and internationally. This experience provides an informed and supportive learning environment for the student characterised by depth and challenge.

For Single Honours students there is a compulsory placement as part of your degree. The placement will enable you to enhance your understanding of key themes and provides you with an insight into the professional context. For Combined Honours students the placement is optional. The Single Honours programme also offers the option to obtain separate professional certification as a graduate practitioner through assessment against the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.