EEP418 Education Studies: Contextualising Primary Education (8)

This subject encourages students to think sociologically, culturally, and reflectively. Students are introduced to contemporary cultural, social and political debates that impact on the experience of students and teachers in Australian educational contexts. Historical, economic, social, cultural and political contexts all play a part in shaping the provision and practice of education, and students are encouraged to see education as a contested and ideologically-driven social process. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of the interconnections between theory, research, teaching and learning, and to critically explore how schooling and teaching can contribute to a more equitable and just society.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2020.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Education

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • reflect critically on significant educational issues
  • understand social justice as part of the liberal role assigned to teachers by the state
  • recognise the contested and ideological nature of education in Australia, and the historical antecendents, political agendas and cultural practices that have shaped how education is practiced and experienced by teachers and students
  • engage with theoretical concepts such as subjectivity, power, knowledge and representation, and develop an understanding of how these concepts relate to educational identities and experiences;
  • explore their own positionality as students, teachers, researchers and activists, reflexively analysing the social and professional obligations with regard to the provision of socially just education
  • translate a theoretical commitment to social justice into practical activities such as reflective practice, inclusive curriculum, appropriate pedagogies and policies, in accordance with differing contexts and contents.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

-Ideologies of schooling, theoretical perspectives to research and practice, the philosophical and ideological nature of knowledge, the nature of power, contestation, resistance, negotiation, within and external to the school and community. -Discourses of opportunity and outcomes in the diversity of Australian culture and history. -Local, national and international contexts of Australian education, including: social and policy reforms and their impact on student access, participation, opportunity and outcomes; globalisation and its effects on Australian education; and the politics of teacher education in contemporary Australia. -Cultural and identity politics of schools and classrooms, including: gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, disability and social class, and the social justice debates in relation to identity categories and schooling experience.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: October 2020. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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