This module will focus on representations and perceptions of children and childhood. The module will explore representations of children in poetry and prose. These will be generally drawn from the 20th century, and will include autobiographical writing. Representations of Childhood in contemporary media such as newspapers, magazines, advertising, television and film will be studied. The cultural perspectives and attitudes which lie behind such representations will be examined. In addition, key issues which are raised by particular representations will be considered such as: children as 'innocent'; children as vulnerable; the effects of images of violence on children; children as consumers and the effects of materialism as a value; the 'exploitation' of children in film, television and advertising; children and 'moral panic'.