Education

This course introduces the study of human development, including a critical overview of current theory, research and practice in human development, with particular emphasis on the development of early childhood through to adolescence. A core assumption of the unit is that the study of human development is inter-disciplinary, and that developmental theories, past and present, are open to question and debate. The content focuses on the processes and products of human development, related to neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, and language development. The classical theories are considered and examined in the light of contemporary theory and research. The seminar is concerned with the teaching of values in schools and early childhood education settings, including the creation of values-based learning environments, and with each participant's development as a human self, focusing in particular on the development of participants' professional skills and personal values.

This course on research techniques and information use focuses on basic competencies regarding the management of information for the use of university studies as well as professional activities. It covers data and information needs; proper search strategies; ethical use of information, including intellectual property rights and proper citation methods; general resources for digital information retrieval; specialized resources, including selected portals and databases.

This course offers an introduction to contemporary issues in education in local, national, and international contexts. The course explores a critical perspective on educational issues by drawing on a variety of analytical frameworks.

The course focuses on the cultural context in which children's literature has historically been placed and how children's books have traditionally been analyzed, as separate from strictly commercial, educational, and literary products. The course places emphasis on the connections between literary, film, and visual texts that are directed towards children or have children as their principal focus. A special section of the course is dedicated to the main theories in the field of children's literature and the objective of conceiving educational and didactic projects that promote pleasure in reading. Topics covered in the course: the subject of children's books; children's classics and contemporary literary products; how to read deeper and in between the lines in order to discover and decipher the metaphors, topoi, archetypes, and symbols implicit in all literature and in particular in children's literature; how children's books contain many important, philosophical and anthropological themes; how children's books are, at their best, a subversive literature, deeply critical of the grown-up world, usually characterized by patterns, behaviors and perspectives that are too rigid or too limited. The course uses children's literature to help future teachers discover the inner, and often otherwise unexpressed, world of childhood, with its peculiar visions, desires, dreams, needs and ways of being in the world. Required reading includes LIBRI NELLA GIUNGLA. ORIENTARSI NELL'EDITORIA PER RAGAZZI by G. Grilli. Students must choose a specific, recurrent, or typical theme in children's literature and read at least 3 children's novels centered on the theme plus at least 3 picture books for children centered on the same theme or a related theme. The course includes visual materials including images from the most important illustrated children's books and picture books, oral reproductions of the sounds linked to picture books and short stories, as well as movies concerning childhood. Assessment is based on an oral exam. Students are asked to discuss the most important themes in the assigned critical readings and to present a theme of choice based on at least 4 children's novels (classic and/or contemporary).

This course explores career development strategies aimed at fostering individual and collective well-being. Students learn to identify strengths and areas of improvement. They also analyze the interpersonal and contextual risk and protection factors that may hinder or foster a fulfilling and socially fair career path.

This course provides an overview of basic perspectives on communication. It functions as an introduction to children's oral and written language development from pre-school to early teenage years, with a particular focus on minority children's language. Topics covered include development of oral and written language, socio-cultural sources, concepts and words, and children's development and production of expanded forms of discourse and text. Students review and discuss these topics to lead to further discussion regarding the particular challenges that are related to facilitation in minority children's learning situations.

This course is designed for students wishing to clarify and advance their career goals through a 16-week internship in Thailand. It provides a structured learning environment to help students make the most of their internship experience. While there are no regularly scheduled class meetings, internships are conducted under the close academic supervision of the Social Policy & Development department at Thammasat University. An assigned internship coordinator provides oversight and guidance for the duration of the internship. The course requires a minimum of 128 total work hours. To facilitate the completion of the internship and maximize skill acquisition, students are required to work at least one full day per week at their internships. Assessment: attendance, weekly journal, supervisor evaluation, final internship report. Graded Pass/No pass only.