Contemporary Issues, Theories and Practices in Early Childhood Education

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your study is delivered on campus and/or online
On campus, 100% online
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
EDUC 2049
Course ID icon
Course ID
203501
Campus icon
Campus
Magill, Mawson Lakes, Online
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Education
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Valentina Bertotti
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course develops understanding of dominant historical discourses in the field of early childhood education, and introduces multiple perspectives on theory, research and practice as alternative discourses and pedagogical approaches.

  • Historical Overview
  • Theoretical Perspectives
  • Contemporary Issues And Practice

Course learning outcomes

  • Extend existing understandings of childhood taking into account how these understandings developed at different historical periods
  • Critically analyse the historical development of understandings of childhood, how we know about children, and how these understandings resonate in contemporary Australian contexts
  • Identify contemporary theories that have shaped and continue to shape understandings of children and childhood, diversity, difference and inclusivity
  • Apply critical, post-structural, feminist and post-human theoretical understandings to critically analyse, reflect and design inclusive professional practice in early childhood care and education settings
  • Apply knowledge of contemporary theories to respond to contemporary issues in early childhood education concerning equity and social inclusion

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Magill

Class number
Class number 23006
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
4 May - 25 May Monday 9:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
Class number
Class number 23007
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12pm Magill de Lissa, G1-52
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 9:10am - 12pm Magill de Lissa, G1-52
8 May - 29 May Friday 9:10am - 12pm Magill de Lissa, G1-52
Class number
Class number 23008
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
4 May - 25 May Monday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
Class number
Class number 23009
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-11
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-11
4 May - 25 May Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-11
Class number
Class number 23971
Section
Section TU05
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-08
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-08
4 May - 25 May Monday 3:10pm - 6pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-08
Class number
Class number 23972
Section
Section TU06
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H1-10
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H1-10
8 May - 29 May Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H1-10
Class number
Class number 23973
Section
Section TU07
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill de Lissa, G1-52
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill de Lissa, G1-52
8 May - 29 May Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Magill de Lissa, G1-52

Mawson Lakes

Class number
Class number 23010
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 10 Mar Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-38
24 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-38
5 May - 26 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-38
Class number
Class number 23011
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
8 May - 29 May Friday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
Class number
Class number 23012
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 2:10pm - 5pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
Class number
Class number 23013
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
8 May - 29 May Friday 12:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
Class number
Class number 23974
Section
Section TU05
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 13 Mar Friday 3:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
27 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 3:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
8 May - 29 May Friday 3:10pm - 6pm Mawson Lakes Building P, P2-51
Class number
Class number 23975
Section
Section TU06
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 9:10am - 12pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-31
Class number
Class number 23976
Section
Section TU07
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 11 Mar Wednesday 12:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-38
25 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 12:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-38
6 May - 27 May Wednesday 12:10pm - 3pm Mawson Lakes Building GP, GP2-38

Online

Class number
Class number 20238
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course