Course Title: Society, Education and Inquiry

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Society, Education and Inquiry

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2409

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2018

Course Coordinator: Emily Gray

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7660

Course Coordinator Email: emily.gray@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course you will be introduced to the role of education in society drawing on theory, history, politics, sociology and cultural studies. You will be exposed to perspectives, philosophies and debates that are informing contemporary education within the contemporary moment. You will critically engage with and reflect upon current educational policy and practice and develop your own professional position on education and its purposes. In this course you will question the extent to which teachers can impact upon their students and how education is shaped, and/or limited, by governmental imperatives.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Critically analyse historical and contemporary theoretical positions on society and education;
  • Reflect on critical insights to interpret social issues within your classrooms;
  • Critique contemporary assumptions about knowledge, learning and teaching; 
  • Examine the conditions that shape contemporary social life and influence our thinking about society and education
  • Evaluate and critically reflect on theoretical, social and political perspectives about education and their influence on trends in teaching practice.
     


You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes in this course:

  • Determine and apply the specialist knowledge and professional skills required to creatively solve problems, demonstrating expert judgment and ethical responsibility relating to your professional practice 
  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on complex theories and recent developments, both local and international, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice in education
  • Professionally communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences, as producers and consumers of knowledge, about philosophical and pedagogical propositions, processes and outcomes 
  • Engage with complex bodies of knowledge and multiple professional skills in order to contribute to your professional identity and career within contemporary contexts
     


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research.

You will also make explicit links to the cross-curricular priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia.

Learning activities within this course will include:

  • Critical reading of academic research and theory including the sociology of education and cultural studies;
  • Applying social, theoretical and political approaches to education to your professional experience ad practice;
  • Critiquing contemporary educational policy;
  • Articulating in writing and verbally your own understandings of education.
     


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc