Students

EDCN812 – Curriculum Studies

2014 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Senior Lecturer
Norman McCulla PhD FACE MACEL
norman.mcculla@mq.edu.au
Contact via +61 2 98508650
C3A 908
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MA in Education Studies or MEChild or PGDipEChild or PGCertEChild or MEd or MEdLead or PGDipEdLead or PGCertEdLead or PGDipEdS or PGCertEdS or MHEd or PGDipHEd or PGCertHEd or MSpecEd or PGDipSpecEd or PGCertSpecEd or MTeach(Birth to Five Years) or MIndigenousEd or PGDipIndigenousEd or PGCertIndigenousEd
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides both an introduction to the formal study of curriculum as well as an opportunity to undertake a more in-depth and specialised study of an area of curriculum interest. The nature of curriculum is explored from national and international perspectives. Curriculum design, implementation and change are considered from both theoretical and practical orientations with a focus on contemporary curriculum issues.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of the curriculum field
  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Reflective Journals 30% 6 October and 14 November
Major Assessment Task 40% 2 November
Online contributions 30% Ongoing

Reflective Journals

Due: 6 October and 14 November
Weighting: 30%

Two reflective journals with a combined total of 3 000 words centred on Modules 2-7 of the Unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of the curriculum field
  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Major Assessment Task

Due: 2 November
Weighting: 40%

A self-selected topic developed in consultation with the Unit Convenor and in accordance with guidelines provided in the Unit that provides opportunities to demonstrate attainment of the Unit's learning outcomes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of the curriculum field
  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Online contributions

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 30%

Contributions to online seminars and activities in Modules 2-7.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of the curriculum field
  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction

Delivery and Resources

The Unit is delivered online via Macquarie's iLearn.

Participants are required to have their own copy of the following texts:

  • Brady, L. and Kennedy, K. (2013). Curriculum Construction. Frenchs Forest, Sydney. Pearson. (Fifth edition)
  • Smith, D. and Lovat,T. (2003). Curriculum- Action on Reflection. Tuggerah. Social Science Press. (Fourth Edition)

All other material is made available online through the Macquarie University Library or through the 7 Learning Modules provided in the unit.

Unit Schedule

 

Week beginning

Wk

Module

On-Campus Session

Seminars and Learning Activities

Assessment Task

4 August

1

1

-

-

-

11 August

2

1

Getting to Know You 14 August 6-7.30pm

E6A116

LA1

 

18 August

3

2

-

-

-

25 August

4

2

-

LA2

-

1 September

5

3

-

-

-

8 September

6

3

-

LA3

-

15 September

7

4

-

-

Topic of Major Assignment finalised in consultation with Unit Convenor by Friday 19 September.

22 September

8

4

(Mid-semester Break)

LA4

  

29 September

9

5

(Mid-semester Break)

-

Critical Reflection

Assignment (A)

Modules 2-4.

Due Monday 6 October

6 October

10

5

  

LA5

 

13 October

11

6

-

-

-

20 October

12

6

-

LA6

-

27 October

13

7

-

-

Major Assessment Task due

Sunday 2 November

3 November

14

7

-

LA7

  

 10 November

15

-

-

7

Critical Reflection

Assignment (B)

Modules 5-7

Due Friday 14 November

 

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Unit Overview

Curriculum is central to our understanding of educational institutions. It can be focused on the learning of a single student or group of students; on the formal curriculum of a school or other educational workplace; or it can be expansive in its national and international focus. We will touch on each of these aspects of curriculum during the course of the unit. The unit provides a broad introduction to the curriculum field. It is also designed for students seeking to specialize in an aspect of curriculum studies. This might apply to understanding current curriculum trends and/or resolving issues and working towards improvements in the workplace through critical reflection on practice within theoretical frameworks derived from the international literature.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of the curriculum field
  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment tasks

  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Assessment Task
  • Online contributions

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of the curriculum field
  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment tasks

  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Assessment Task
  • Online contributions

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of curriculum priorities, change processes and preferred curriculum futures in an educational jurisdiction
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment tasks

  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Assessment Task
  • Online contributions

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment tasks

  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Assessment Task

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment tasks

  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Assessment Task
  • Online contributions

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the strategic importance of the curriculum field to the role of the educational leader
  • Demonstrate a capacity to apply these understandings to the participant's school/workplace/organisation and/or educational jurisdiction, and to the analysis of current state, national and international trends in curriculum

Assessment tasks

  • Reflective Journals
  • Major Assessment Task
  • Online contributions