Children, Youth and Sustainable Childhoods - JKB252
Title: Children, Youth and Sustainable Childhoods
Czech title: Deti, dospívající a udržitelná zkušenost dětství
Guaranteed by: Department of Media Studies (23-KMS)
Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
Actual: from 2024
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 4
Examination process: summer s.:combined
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:1/1, MC [HT]
Capacity: 23 / 23 (23)
Min. number of students: 10
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
Key competences: critical thinking, data literacy, social engagement
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Teaching methods: full-time
Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan
enabled for web enrollment
priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
Guarantor: Mgr. Tereza Javornicky Brumovská, M.A., Ph.D.
Teacher(s): Mgr. Tereza Javornicky Brumovská, M.A., Ph.D.
Class: Courses for incoming students
Examination dates   SS schedule   Noticeboard   
Annotation
While aiming at providing a comprehensive understanding of the role of communication in promoting sustainability among children and youth, the course will equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge to foster sustainable practices through effective communication strategies. The module will particularly explore the themes of sustainability in the group of children and young people, and the modes of sustainable communication to support sustainable childhood experiences of current children and youth, with the focus on the EU context with questions: What do children and young people think about sustainability? How do they perceive and experience sustainability? What is the phenomena of the ecological blue in children and youth? How is participation and social inclusion linked to sustainability and sustainable communication with children and young people in different institutional, organizational, social and policy contexts? How can society support sustainable experiences for children and young people? How children and young people contribute to the sustainable societies as active participants? What is sustainable communication and how it supports sustainable experiences of childhoods in current children and youth in educational, social and cultural context? How sustainable communication applied by adults in youth-adult relationships support and empower children and young people in their active inclusion, participation, autonomy and well-being – and overall sustainable experiences of childhood in their development? What is the role of communication in promoting sustainability among children and youth. What is the role of media, and ICT in sustainable education?
Last update: Javornicky Brumovská Tereza, Mgr., M.A., Ph.D. (03.09.2024)
Aim of the course

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

  • Understand key concepts and theories in Childhood Studies and Sustainability.

  • Analyze the perspectives of children and young people on sustainability.

  • Comprehend the links between participation, social inclusion, and sustainability.

Skills and abilities

  • Develop strategies for supporting sustainable experiences for children and youth.

  • Apply principles of sustainable communication in various contexts.

  • Engage children and young people in discussions about sustainability.

Last update: Javornicky Brumovská Tereza, Mgr., M.A., Ph.D. (03.09.2024)
Literature

Key literature:

  • United Nations (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

  • Moser, S. C. (2010). Communicating climate change: History, challenges, process and future directions.

  • James, A., & Prout, A. (1990). Constructing and Reconstructing Childhood.

  • Prout, A. (2005). The Future of Childhood.

  • UNICEF (2015). Children and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Last update: Javornicky Brumovská Tereza, Mgr., M.A., Ph.D. (03.09.2024)
Requirements to the exam

 

 

 

    Assessment by active participation  in lectures (10%), Mid-term essay (40%) Final Essay (50%), 1500 each, 3000 words excl. references together.

Last update: Javornicky Brumovská Tereza, Mgr., M.A., Ph.D. (26.02.2025)
Syllabus

COURSE STRUCTURE

Lecture 1: Introduction to Sustainable Communication and Sustainability

  • Overview of Childhood Studies

  • Definitions and principles of sustainability

  • Sustainability in the context of children and youth

Lecture 2: Children’s Perspectives on Sustainability

  • Understanding the principles of environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability.

  • Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and children

  • Critical comparative analysis of children's views on sustainability in global perspective

Lecture 3: Ecological Blue in Children and Youth, Environmental Child-Friendliness and Sustainability for Children and Youth

  • The phenomenon of ecological blue (sense of environmental responsibility and awareness): Psychological, social and cultural aspects

  • The importance of inclusive approaches to ensure broad participation in sustainability, social inclusion and participation in sustainability efforts.

  • Strategies to promote social inclusion of children and youth in sustainability initiatives.

  • Case studies of inclusive sustainability programs.

Lecture 4: Role of Media in Promoting Sustainability in Children and Young People. Digital Media and ICT in Sustainable Education

  • Role of media and digital technologies in shaping children's understanding of sustainability

  • The role of education in promoting sustainability.

  • Media literacy and critical engagement with sustainability messages  

Lecture 5: Supporting Sustainable Experiences for Children and Youth in Communication in Health and Education Context

  • Designing child-friendly and sustainable health and education environments.

  • The role of inclusive and participatory design in sustainability.

  • Case studies of successful sustainable projects and interventions with children and youth

Lecture 6: The Role of Participation and Social Inclusion in Sustainability

  • Links between participation, social inclusion, and sustainability

  • Children's rights in the context of environmental justice

  • Case studies in institutional, organizational, social, and policy contexts

Lecture 7: Children and Youth as Change Agents in Sustainability and Society

  • The role of children and youth in driving sustainable change.

  • Youth activism and its impact on sustainability

  • Strategies to empower children and youth in sustainability efforts.

Lecture 8: Inclusive Communication with Children and Youth for Sustainable Childhoods

  • Strategies for inclusive and accessible communication 

  • Addressing barriers to communication for children with disabilities.

  • Building autonomy, participation, and well-being through communication in youth-adult relationships

Lecture 9: Communication Strategies for Promoting Sustainable Behaviours in Children and Youth 

  • Principles of sustainable communication

  • Effective sustainable communication strategies in educational, social, and cultural contexts

  • Effective communication strategies to promote sustainable behaviours among children and youth.

Lecture 10 Supporting Sustainable Experiences and Resilience for Children and Youth in Community 

  • The role of community resources and networks in promoting sustainability.

  • Role of societal, familial, and community involvement in promoting sustainable childhood

  • Building community resilience through sustainable communication.

Lecture 11: EU Policies on Sustainability and Childhood

  • The role of governance in implementing sustainability and sustainable communication strategies.

  • Global and local policies supporting sustainable childhoods and sustainable communication for children and youth.

  • EU policy frameworks on sustainability focusing on youths and their effectiveness.

Lecture 12: Future Directions in Sustainable Communication

  • Emerging trends and future research directions: Integration of approaches to sustainable childhood and sustainability in childhood studies

  • Innovations in communication technology and their potential impact on sustainability.

  • Preparing for future challenges and opportunities in the field with focus on children and young people

Last update: Javornicky Brumovská Tereza, Mgr., M.A., Ph.D. (03.09.2024)