Module: EDU5000-20 Issues in Education

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Paul Mclaughlin

Module Tutor Contact Details: p.mclaughlin@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This is the level five core module for all Education Studies students. The module will further develop your understanding of the purposes and processes of education introduced in the Year 1 core module through examining substantive issues in education. You will critically engage with the nature of governance and policy in education systems, and with ideological influences on educational reform. You will examine the development and implementation of educational policies and initiatives at international, national and local levels

2.Outline syllabus

The module will explore education ideology, policy and practice.

Key themes such as global educational reform, the relationship between education and employment and notions of equity and social justice in education provide the focus for exploration of the role of policy in addressing educational issues. You will be introduced to the key literature and theoretical perspectives that relate to these themes, and engage in debates that are central to the study of contemporary education policy and reform.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Teaching and learning will be through lecture, seminar, peer learning set and tutorial.

The lectures will be used to introduce you to the key ideas and theories needed to understand contemporary educational issues. In seminars you will have the opportunity to discuss the lecture content and set reading materials. Additionally, the module will include peer learning sets in which you will work on group activities that prepare you for your second assignment. You will also be invited to tutorials to support you in the assessment in the module. These tutorials will be a chance to discuss assignment feedback and will encourage you to respond to assessments formatively.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Investigative report on a selected data set (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay on selected contemporary issue (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60%