Children and Material Culture Theory

Course Description

The course is based on the Material Culture Theory which is inter-connected with educational research. It examines objects as part of the material culture in relation to their multifaceted connections with different social and cultural groups, and also negotiates the question of the value and the importance that objects acquire in relation to the subjects and groups that create, use, evaluate and interpret them. Special emphasis is placed upon the importance of objects in relation with time, space, age, cultural, social, historical and political environment. In particular, the course focuses on the relationship of children with objects and the importance of this relationship for the development of children's personality: for dealing with personal problems, such as insecurity; for their sense of belonging; for the formation of their social gender etc. In this context, the importance of studying this relationship through educational research is emphasised, especially that which focuses on early childhood. The aim of the course is to raise students’ awareness on multifaceted issues related with understanding childhood and to introduce methods that facilitate the childhood’s exploration based on the relationship of children with their favourite objects.

Course material available at: https://eclass.uth.gr/courses/ECE_U_232/