Global & Comparative Education
A minicourse by Travis R. Candieas sponsored by the UCSB Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies.
Global and comparative education focuses on the complex system surrounding education policy and institutions internationally. This minicourse introduces students to the globally connected philosophical and social foundations of education and theoretical applications to educational research. The course focuses international case studies with disciplinary and interdisciplinary theories of change. Course activities provide practical skills in applying social science theory to policy analysis and program evaluation and developing theories of change.
The production of this minicourse was generously supported by the UCSB Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies. Click here to learn more about the Orfalea Center.
Please click the collapsible groups below for suggested readings and short introductory videos. Also included are links to open discussion Google docs for your feedback and to continue the discussion.
The philosophical foundations of education
Click here to watch the introductory video.
Dolby, N., & Rahman, A. (2008). Research in International Education. Review of Educational Research, 78(3), 676–726. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40071141.
Robeyns, I. (2006). Three models of education: Rights, capabilities and human capital. Theory and Research in Education, 4(1), 69-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477878506060683
Spring, J. (2008). Research on Globalization and Education. Review of Educational Research, 78(2), 330–363. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40071130.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on the philosophy of education and schooling. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
The social foundations of education
Click here to watch the second video.
Breen, Richard, and Jan O. Jonsson. “Inequality of Opportunity in Comparative Perspective: Recent Research on Educational Attainment and Social Mobility.” Annual Review of Sociology 31, no. 1 (2005): 223–43. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.31.041304.122232.
Marteleto, Letícia, Murillo Marschner, and Flávio Carvalhaes. “Educational Stratification after a Decade of Reforms on Higher Education Access in Brazil.” Research in Social Stratification and Mobility 46 (December 1, 2016): 99–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rssm.2016.08.004.
Shiroma, Eneida Oto. “Networks in Action: New Actors and Practices in Education Policy in Brazil.” Journal of Education Policy 29, no. 3 (May 4, 2014): 323–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2013.831949.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on the social foundations of education and schooling. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
The economics of education
Click here to watch the third video.
Blom, Andreas, Lauritz Holm-Nielsen, and Dorte Verner. “Education, Earnings, and Inequality in Brazil, 1982-1998: Implications for Education Policy.” Peabody Journal of Education 76, no. 3–4 (October 1, 2001): 180–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2001.9681999.
Melguizo, T., Wolniak, G.C. The Earnings Benefits of Majoring in STEM Fields Among High Achieving Minority Students. Research in Higher Education 53, 383–405 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-011-9238-z.
Roger Dale (2005) Globalisation, knowledge economy and comparative education, Comparative Education, 41:2, 117-149, https://doi.org/10.1080/03050060500150906.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on the global economics of education and schooling. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
The politics of education
Click here to watch the fourth video.
De M. Figueiredo, Maria De Consolacao. “Politics and Higher Education in Brazil: 1964–1986.” International Journal of Educational Development 7, no. 3 (January 1, 1987): 173–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/0738-0593(87)90016-2.
López, Gerardo R. “The (Racially Neutral) Politics of Education: A Critical Race Theory Perspective.” Educational Administration Quarterly 39, no. 1 (February 1, 2003): 68–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X02239761.
Torres, Carlos Alberto. “Paulo Freire as Secretary of Education in the Municipality of São Paulo.” Comparative Education Review 38, no. 2 (May 1994): 181–214. https://doi.org/10.1086/447241.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on the global politics of education and schooling. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
New institutionalism and education
Click here to watch the fifth video.
Filho, José Camilo dos Santos. “The Recent Process of Decentralization and Democratic Management of Education in Brazil.” International Review of Education 39, no. 5 (1993): 391–403.
Mcginn, Noel. Educational Decentralization: Weak State or Strong State? Comparative Education Review, 30(4) (November 1, 1986): 471-490. https://doi.org/10.1086/446631.
Keet, A. (2005). Infusing Human Rights Into the Curriculum: The Case of the South African Revised National Curriculum Statement. Perspectives in Education.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on new institutionalism in education and schooling. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
Issues in primary & secondary education
Click here to watch the sixth video.
Marshall, Jeffery H. “School Quality Signals and Attendance in Rural Guatemala.” Economics of Education Review, Special Issue: Economic Returns to Education, 30, no. 6 (December 1, 2011): 1445–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2011.07.011.
Sakaue, Katsuki, James Wokadala, and Keiichi Ogawa. “Effect of Parental Engagement on Children’s Home-Based Continued Learning during COVID-19–Induced School Closures: Evidence from Uganda.” International Journal of Educational Development 100 (July 1, 2023): 102812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102812.
Sattin-Bajaj, Carolyn, Juan Barrera Alcazar, Damhee Dee Dee Hong, and María Romo-González. “An Expanded Framework for Preparing Teachers to Educate Children of Immigrant Backgrounds.” Teaching and Teacher Education 129 (July 1, 2023): 104120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104120.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on major issues in primary and secondary education and schooling. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
Issues in postsecondary education & workforce development
Click here to watch the seventh video!
McCowan, Tristan. “The Growth of Private Higher Education in Brazil: Implications for Equity and Quality.” Journal of Education Policy 19, no. 4 (July 1, 2004): 453–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/0268093042000227492.
McGrath, Simon, and Shoko Yamada. “Skills for Development and Vocational Education and Training: Current and Emergent Trends.” International Journal of Educational Development 102 (October 1, 2023): 102853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102853.
Pascuci, Lucilaine Maria, and Albert Fishlow. “Higher Education in Brazil: Retrospective, Current Challenges and Looking Ahead.” Ensaio: Avaliação e Políticas Públicas Em Educação 31 (April 17, 2023): e0233775. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-40362023003103775.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on major issues in higher education and workforce development. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
Education organizational change & human development
New video coming soon!
Aleksić, G., Merrell, C., Ferring, D., Tymms, P., & Klemenović, J. (2019). Links between socio-emotional skills, behavior, mathematics and literacy performance of preschool children in Serbia. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 34(2), 417–438. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48698228
Astin, Alexander W. 1984. "Student Involvement: A Developmental Theory for Higher Education." Journal of College Student Personnel 25:297-308.
Hurtado, S., Milem, J.F., Clayton-Pedersen, A.R., & Allen, W.R. (1998). Enhancing Campus Climates for Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Educational Policy and Practice. The Review of Higher Education 21(3), 279-302. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.1998.0003.
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on major issues in organizational change and human development. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
Education leadership, administration, and finance
New video coming soon!
Andrés Bernasconi (2007) Constitutional prospects for the implementation of funding and governance reforms in Latin American higher education, Journal of Education Policy, 22:5, 509-529, DOI: 10.1080/02680930701541709
Gordon, L. (1995). Controlling Education: Agency Theory and the Reformation of New Zealand Schools. Educational Policy, 9(1), 54-74. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904895009001003
Lindsay, A. W. (1982). Institutional Performance in Higher Education: The Efficiency Dimension. Review of Educational Research, 52(2), 175-199. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543052002175
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on major issues in education leadership, finance, and administration. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
Policy systems & institutional quality
New video coming soon!
Carnoy, M., & Loeb, S. (2002). Does External Accountability Affect Student Outcomes? A Cross-State Analysis. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 24(4), 305-331. https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737024004305
Deneulin, S., & McGregor, J. A. (2010). The capability approach and the politics of a social conception of wellbeing. European Journal of Social Theory, 13(4), 501-519. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431010382762
Fuller, B., & Clarke, P. (1994). Raising School Effects While Ignoring Culture? Local Conditions and the Influence of Classroom Tools, Rules, and Pedagogy. Review of Educational Research, 64(1), 119-157. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543064001119
Håkansson, J., Adolfsson, CH. Local education authority’s quality management within a coupled school system: Strategies, actions, and tensions. Journal of Educational Change 23, 291–314 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-021-09414-6
Spring, J. (2008). Research on Globalization and Education. Review of Educational Research, 78(2), 330–363. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40071130
Click here for an open access Google doc to leave your feedback or thoughts on the lesson. Please share any relevant news or academic articles that further the conversation on education policy systems and institutional quality. News articles and current events relevant to the topics are also encouraged as contributions to the discussion forum.
Please click the button below for contact information to obtain a more detailed syllabus including course objectives, activities, and requirements.
trcandieas(at)ucsb(dot)edu