BLA3900 Bachelor's Thesis Course description

After completion of the course, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence

Knowledge

By the end of the course the student has advanced knowledge of

• theories of art, play and learning that inform current thinking in early childhood education and care
• different historical, anthropological and cultural approaches to understandings of child culture/children's culture in an international perspective
• child culture and children's play culture with a focus on the interrelatedness between play and learning; and the inherent value of play
• aesthetic expressions in children's everyday life, in the early childhood curriculum, in the arts for children and in media for children

Skills

By the end of the course the student is able to

• engage critically and independently with academic studies on art, play and learning
• engage with participatory interaction as a pedagogical process from both child and adult perspectives
• analyse and deal critically with current theories, methods and interpretations concerning art, play and learning, children's perspectives, the roles of professionals and cultural diversity
• reflect critically on the integration of art, play and learning and the implications for practice and research

General competence

By the end of the course the students have

• developed their sensitivity regarding children's aesthetic practices as well as their own creative skills, values and practices and how these reflect their participatory interaction with children
• developed their own methodological research practice and scientific approach
• developed their creativity, improvisational abilities and playfulness in both scholarly approach and modes of artistic and academic communication

Progresjonskrav for utdanningen fremgår av programplan for bachelorstudium i barnehagelærerutdanning (180 studiepoeng), arbeidsplassbasert.

Etter fullført emne har studenten følgende læringsutbytte definert som kunnskap, ferdigheter og generell kompetanse:;

Kunnskaper

Studenten

• Har begynnende kunnskap om vitenskapsteori, forskningsmetode og forskningsetikk
• Har utvidet kunnskap om og innsikt i bacheloroppgavens tema

Ferdigheter;

Studenten

• Har evne til å formulere og avgrense et pedagogisk og/eller fagdidaktisk problem
• Kan anvende metodisk kunnskap til å formidle og dokumentere sentralt fagstoff innen det selvvalgte temaet
• Kan planlegge og gjennomføre et selvstendig arbeid i tråd med faglige og metodiske krav og forskningsetiske retningslinjer
• Viser ferdigheter i akademisk skriving og hvis aktuelt, fremstille et praktisk arbeid visuelt.

Generell kompetanse

Studenten

• Diskuterer sammenhengen mellom det selvvalgte teamet og barnehagens samfunnsmandat og verdigrunnlag
• Kan reflektere kritisk og etisk rundt oppgavens tema;

Arbeids- og undervisningsformer i emnet er:

• Oppgave og metodeseminar
• Veiledning
• Individuelt arbeid;

The exam is in two parts:

Part 1) Individual written semester assignment: approx. 2500 words. Counts 50 % of the final grade.

Part 2) Practical group exam based on key issues of art, play and learning. Each candidate is given an individual grade. Counts 50 % of the final grade.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam, the student can submit an improved assignment, one time.

The practical group exam may be substituted by an individual assignment.

Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at Oslo Metropolitan University. Students must register for a new or postponed examination.

Examination support material is permitted.

Letter grades ranging from A to F are used, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade, and F being a fail grade.

Students will be assessed on their

• skills of independent inquiry and originality
• practical exploration and communication of academic research knowledge
• presentation of in-depth knowledge and critical reflection
• use of national and international sources

To be assessed by an internal and an external examiner.

In Nordic early childhood research, art and play comprise an essential foundation. This course provides an in-depth exploration of art, play and learning in early childhood settings, aimed at developing critical problematizing and reflection both in practice and in theory. The course addresses key issues in current research in view of their implications for practice and future research.

In view of the international scope of the course, particular emphasis is placed on comparative approaches.

Students will investigate and interrogate:

• theory of the arts, play and culture
• understandings of child culture/children's culture in relation to everyday life, play, the curriculum, the arts and modern media
• understandings of interaction with children in early childhood education and care settings
• notions of children¿s agency and participation
• discourses of cultural diversity and inclusion
• the use of digital tools for play and learning

the relationship between children¿s creativity and opportunities for free play, exploration and imaginative play