School of Public Policy and Professional Practice  
 
 
EDU-20024 Education Matters: Contemporary Issues and Debates in Education  
Co-ordinator: Mr Graeme Easdown    Room: CBA0.015, Tel:34426  
Teaching Team: Miss Tracy  Roberts, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Dr John  Howlett  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
None
Prerequisites
None
Description

This module provides a detailed and critical overview of significant processes of educational change, and the thinking (political, ideological, and economic) behind them. All the issues covered in this module are of contemporary relevance and highlight the fundamental re-positioning of educational systems, structures and processes in society and economy.

This module will explore broad, ideological shifts in education over the past four decades, as well as examining how these translate into specific policy initiatives. It will examine how the meaning, purposes and goals of education have changed over time, and continue to do so. it also engages with the way in which educational values, ideologies and policies impact upon educational institutions and processes, and their effects on the experiences of those most closely involved, namely pupils, students, educators and managers.
Aims
Education matters will introduce students to a range of contemporary philosophical issues and debates in education, and will examine the changing role of education in society and the economy.

The module encompasses five broad aims:
1) To introduce students to a range of key issues and debates surrounding education;
2) To explore ideological changes in education over time and their impacts on changing the overall aims, goals and purposes of education;
3) To examine the key policy changes and developments in education and how these are reflected in various government initiatives;
4) To examine the inter-relationship between educational institutions and other social institutions, namely the state and labour market;
5) To consider the impacts key educational changes have for educational organisations and the professionals and managers working in them.
Intended Learning Outcomes
  • Comment on key changes in the aims and purposes of education over recent decades will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
  • Locate educational changes within wider cultural, social and economic contexts will be achieved by assessment: 1
  • Identify and discuss key debates and controversies in education will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
  • Identify and discuss underlying principles and aims behind the contemporary educational policy and practice will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
  • Draw upon, a variety of theoretical resources on contemporary education practice and policy will be achieved by assessment: 1
  • Reflect upon the implications of contemporary educational issues for future professional role will be achieved by assessment: 1



Study hours
22 contact hours (10 hour lectures; 10 seminars & one 2 hour workshop on assessment)
50 hours lecture and seminar preparation including preparation for group presentations
18 hours private study
60 hours preparation for essay and review
Description of Module Assessment
01: 2 Hour Seen Exam weighted 80%
An essay designed to explore one (or several) key issues and debates in education, and how it reflects changing goals.
02: Review weighted 20%
Critical Review of an educational policy.
03: Group Presentation
Formative group presentation on module themes.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.