Module: EDU5116-20 Micro to Macro: Places and Spaces in Schooling and Education

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Vandana Singh

Module Tutor Contact Details: v.singh@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

The intention of this module is to consider the role of place and space in the mutual shaping of individuals, education policies and practices. It highlights how place and space contribute to the construction of intersecting gendered or any other inequalities which are created and maintained in formal educational institutions. For example, gender inequalities intersect with class, ethnicity, disability etc. in particular ways in formal institutions and affect children and young people’s experiences and educational outcomes. There are a range of theoretical and conceptual frameworks that provide insight into spatial formation.

To explore the meaning of spaces the module also introduces a range of largely qualitative methodologies through which the role of the micro (individual setting like families or primary care), meso (organisational e.g. the school, religious settings), and macro (e.g. national-level policy and the media) in generating inequalities can be understood.

Hence module tutees will aim to learn how macro, meso and micro perspectives challenge the spatial aspect of inequalities as well as equip students with a critical appreciation of how spatial theorising forms a key tool in analysing the politics of education and schooling inequalities. We will look at in context of primary, secondary and higher education.

2.Outline syllabus

You will explore and develop a number of different perspectives in this module, including:

• Different understandings of the concept of spatial distribution in formation of

• inequalities in learning spaces or schooling.

• Political and economic perspectives and socio-cultural contexts

• Power relationships

• Ways of thinking

• Educational approaches in primary, secondary and higher education.

• Broadly including children’s rights, equity and agency

• Co-creative methodologies to explore spatial dimension of learning from the

• learner’s perspective

3.Teaching and learning activities

The module is taught within academic concepts around the spatial aspect of schooling and education. Each session is organised around some stimulus material, which is a launch point for further discussion. The role of the seminar tutor is to facilitate the discussion into political and economic perspectives and socio-cultural contexts, and power relationships in understandings of the concept of spatial distribution.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: 

Part 1 (1000 words equivalent): Practical exploration of spaces and places on campus. Take, for example, photos and notes to feed into part 2 of this assessment.

Part 2 (1500 words equivalent): Written analysis of part 1 through one of the conceptual lenses used in this module.

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: 

Part 1 Written Task e.g. A Blog (2500 words equivalent) Using a theory covered in this module and your choice of educational focus explore how it shapes learning outcomes.

Part 2 (500 words equivalent) Submit a summary of two critical reflections by peers on your blog and your response on those two blog posts.

• % Weighting: 50%