Early Childhood and Contemporary Craft BA (Hons)

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.

CONTEMPORARY CRAFT BA (HONS)

The BA Contemporary Craft Major is centred around the practice of designing and making combined with the exploration of materials, primarily in ceramic, metal and textile.

In the material workshops we celebrate tactility, materiality and haptic technologies, seeking less conventional notions of craft through material exploration and project design. Creating and making gives us the confidence to take risks, the ability to solve problems and builds a sense of identity. Alongside developing individually focused work the course will seek to explore key research emerging within society, exploring challenging issues including climate change, mental health diversity. The course will be theoretically underpinned by a series of lectures and seminars to inform research and practice. A strong focus on employability and real-world scenarios will enable contemporary craft graduates to move confidently into diverse fields of practice and work opportunities. Graduates will be confident in forging links with local industries and harnessing the creative energy of the North West. Professional expertise, digital exploration and contextual studies support the creative practice to provide a rich and exciting major.