Module: EDU7100-30 Education and Society

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: Prof Charlotte Chadderton

Module Tutor Contact Details: c.chadderton@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

This module examines the role of education in contemporary societies and explores how educational reform is constructed and implemented to deliver social and economic change. You will learn how to question the theories, policies and institutions involved in defining the purposes, content and outcomes of education; understand the sources of tension around the purposes and nature of education; and develop a theoretically informed account of the implications for societies of education reform.

Education is understood in broad terms (including early years, schools, higher, professional, vocational and informal).

2.Outline syllabus

The module consists of two interconnected parts: (i) conceptualisation of educational ideas and educational systems in the context of contemporary society – weeks 1-5 (week 6 is a reading week); and (ii) exploration of rationales for contemporary educational reform and critical analysis of educational change – weeks 7-11. The final week also incorporates preparation for the written assignment.

Topics include:

• Approaches to the study of education.
• The role of the state in the regulation and provision of education.
• Contested purposes of education.
• Theoretical lenses on education and the assumptions that underpin them.
• Conceptualisations of educational knowledge.
• The relationship between educational systems and policies in respect of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
• The role of educational leadership and governance at different scales (early years, school, further, higher).
• The concept of policy, its ideology, formation, implementation and consequences.
• Rationales for educational reform and change.
• Education, social mobility and equity.
• The relationship between education, the economy and society and the claims made for the outputs and outcomes of education.
• The sociology of pedagogy and interaction.

3.Teaching and learning activities

The module is divided into 10 taught sessions. Taught sessions consist of lecture input and seminar activities organised around key readings. You are given the opportunity to work in groups and to lead seminar discussion. All teaching materials are available on Minerva. You will be organised into groups for preparation and delivery of presentations and you will have individual tutorials to support you in your assessment tasks.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Group presentation (1,500 words equivalent)
• % Weighting: 20%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Essay (6,000 words)
• % Weighting: 80%