Students

EDUC106 – Education: The Social and Historical Context

2015 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor - Senior lecturer
David Saltmarsh
Contact via 9850 8978
C3A928
Senior lecturer
Norman McCulla
Contact via 9850 8650
C3A908
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the historical and social contexts in which Australian education occurs. The perspectives that inform the unit are predominantly sociological and historical, but the disciplines of cultural studies, philosophy, politics and economics also have a strong influence. The unit begins with an overview of the development of education in Australia by discussing a number of key moments in the history of Australian education. The unit gives emphasis to issues of social justice and social disadvantage and also considers these matters in relation to contemporary issues in education: media, technology and community.

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 key historical and social issues in Australian education, and identify links to contemporary situations and events
  • Be able to find relevant information about social and historical events in education from a range of sources including the library, newspapers and electronic sources
  • Develop skills in the analysis and critical review of academic and media material, and anticipate how this understanding could be applied
  • Present ideas in creative ways that assist in developing new understandings and solutions to problems
  • Be able to effectively communicate ideas
  • Be able to work collaboratively and ethically with others
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

General Assessment Information

Assessment tasks in EDUC106 are linked and together develop a set of skills and knowledge. To successfully complete the unit you are required to submit a RAL, a Research essay, present (or submit for externals) an ACRR digital artefact and submit the report, and participate in all classes: e.g. lectures and tutorials

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Reviewing Academic Literature 10% Week 5, 24 Aug 2015
Educational disadvantage 40% 21 Sep 2015
Artefact Creation and Report 30% Week 11, 19 Oct 2015
Examination 20% Exam period

Reviewing Academic Literature

Due: Week 5, 24 Aug 2015
Weighting: 10%

Submit a 400 word review of the following article:

Kenway, J. (2013) Challenging inequality in Australian schools: Gonski and beyond, Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 34:2, 286-308, DOI: 10.1080/01596306.2013.770254

This article is available in the library’s electronic journal collection.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of the key historical and social issues in Australian education, and identify links to contemporary situations and events
  • Develop skills in the analysis and critical review of academic and media material, and anticipate how this understanding could be applied

Educational disadvantage

Due: 21 Sep 2015
Weighting: 40%

Write an essay in which you consider the situation of students disadvantaged by: socioeconomic background, disability, English language proficiency, the particular needs of Indigenous students, school size, or school location. Comment on how effectively schools, and the education system more generally, prepares these disadvantaged students for employment, further education and training, and life beyond school.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of the key historical and social issues in Australian education, and identify links to contemporary situations and events
  • Be able to find relevant information about social and historical events in education from a range of sources including the library, newspapers and electronic sources
  • Develop skills in the analysis and critical review of academic and media material, and anticipate how this understanding could be applied
  • Be able to effectively communicate ideas
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

Artefact Creation and Report

Due: Week 11, 19 Oct 2015
Weighting: 30%

In a group of three or four students, devise a problem concerning education and either media, popular culture or technology, and create a digital artefact as a response to that problem. The artefact must be submitted to the unit website. Students must also submit documentation of the group’s processes and an individually written, 750-word report. Group members must attend the same tutorial

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be able to find relevant information about social and historical events in education from a range of sources including the library, newspapers and electronic sources
  • Develop skills in the analysis and critical review of academic and media material, and anticipate how this understanding could be applied
  • Present ideas in creative ways that assist in developing new understandings and solutions to problems
  • Be able to effectively communicate ideas
  • Be able to work collaboratively and ethically with others
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

Examination

Due: Exam period
Weighting: 20%

Final exam

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of the key historical and social issues in Australian education, and identify links to contemporary situations and events

Delivery and Resources

University regulations require that students attend all lectures and tutorials for which they have nominated.

There are two different lectures provided each week

  • Lecture 1 is first given at 10:00 am Tuesday in Macquarie Theatre and repeated at 9:00 am Wednesday in C5CT1
  • Lecture 2 is first given 9:00 am Thursday in Macquarie Theatre and repeated at 10:00 am Friday in C5CT1.

Tutorials are conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Make use of information and computer technology for the production of assignments, research and communication.

Learning and Teaching Activities

Overview

This series of lecture presentations, and the accompanying learning activities, is divided into four modules. The four assessment tasks submissions, including the low risk early assessment task, largely assess material in each of the sections while the exam questions are drawn from all areas of the unit. The first module presents a traditional sociology of education and the familiar themes of class, race and gender as they relate to education. The second module considers education and governance and presents a more contemporary sociology of education. Here the themes of governance, subjectivity and pre-adulthood are addressed. Both these sections explore the social context of education and issues of social disadvantage in education. The third module deals with cultural context of education and the final module considers philosophy, ethics and law as it relates to education.

Module 1. A traditional sociology of education

The unit begins with a framing of education that will be familiar to most, and this is a view established by sociologists of education on a foundation of theories and concerns about matters of class, gender and race. All weeks of this unit comprise: two lectures, a suggested reading and discussion activities. Tutorials commence in week 1.

1.1 INTRODUCTION: MASS EDUCATION AND THE SENSE OF IT (28 & 29 JUL 2015)

This presentation provides an introduction to EDUC106. • EDUC106: where and why it fits • What will be done in EDUC106 o Assessment, learning objectives, capabilities and standards o Teaching staff o Presentations and tutorials o Unit website • Terminology (mass education, public schooling, etc.)

1.2 SOCIAL CLASS: THE RISE OF MASS EDUCATION (30 & 31 JUL 2015)

• Female Orphan School and Macquarie • Battle with the churches for control of education • Education in 19th century Australia: From social discipline, to citizen right, to arbiter of social privilege

1 Tutorial activities

• Discuss approaches to learning to be used the unit • Clarify assessment expectations and arrangements • Understand the unit web site arrangement

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Introduction. In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

2.1 SOCIAL CLASS: INEQUALITY (4 & 5 AUG 2015)

• How is inequality determined? • How does inequality effect education? • Making the Difference

2.2 SOCIAL CLASS: EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE (6 & 7 AUG 2015)

• Explaining educational disadvantage o Critical theorists o Bourdieu and capital • Review of funding for schooling (Gonski) • Critical pedagogy: Researching disadvantage

2 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding social class outlined by Tait • Revise locating articles: Connell (2013); Somerville and Rennie (2012) • How to review academic literature. You might ask yourself the following questions: o What is the article about? o What is the author’s line of argument? o What evidence or information is used to support these claims? o How is this information analyzed? o Are these findings significant, and if so, why? o Do you find the argument plausible? • Review the RAL rubric items

Essential readings

Tait, G. (2013). Social class (Chapter 1). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press Kenway, J. (2013) Challenging inequality in Australian schools: Gonski and beyond, Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 34:2, 286-308, DOI: 10.1080/01596306.2013.770254

Before next tutorial:

• Draft a review of the Kenway (2013) article and bring it to next tutorial • Locate and read the Somerville and Rennie (2012) article

3.1 SOCIAL CLASS: LEARNING FROM COUNTRY (11 & 12 AUG 2015)

• Indigenous students: Rural, remote or urban learners? • Issues faced by indigenous students in school • Teaching about indigenous students

3.2 SOCIAL CLASS: LIVING OUTSIDE THE METRO (13 & 14 AUG 2015)

• Issues faced by students in rural areas • Resource issues in rural areas • Teaching in rural areas

3 Tutorial activities

• Discuss draft reviews of Kenway (2013) • Discuss issues of indigenous education raised by Somerville and Rennie (2012) • Discuss current events that link with the social class topic

Essential reading

Somerville, M. and Rennie, J. (2012). Mobilising community? Place, identity formation and new teachers’ learning. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education 33:2, 193-206. DOI: 10.1080/01596306.2012.666075

4.1 GENDER: SEX AND GENDER (18 & 19 AUG 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

4.2 GENDER: GENDERED SCHOOLING (20 & 21 AUG 2015)

• Case study • Run like a girl (video link) • Goldie blox (video link)

4 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding gender outlined by Tait • Discuss current events that link with the gender topic • Using library databases to find academic literature

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Gender (Chapter 2). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

On-campus day (OCD1) for externals (15 Aug 2015)

The on-campus day workshop will be held in C5A226, but you should also register at the Centre for Open Education (COE). The COE reception desk is located in building X5B and will be open on Saturday from about 8:30 am.

5.1 RACE/ETHNICITY: DEMOGRAPHICS OF NSW EDUCATION (25 & 26 AUG 2015)

• Cultural concentrations • Critical race theory • Case study

5.2 RACE/ETHNICITY: INTERCULTURAL LEARNERS (27 & 28 AUG 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

5 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding race and ethnicity outlined by Tait • Discuss current events that link with the race and ethnicity topic • Developing an argument in an essay

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Race/ethnicity (Chapter 3). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

Module 2. Education and governance: A contemporary sociology

Due to a number of factors, globalization and the emergence of certain technologies to name two, a focus on class, gender and race no longer adequately explains social disadvantage or inequality. Consequently, an alterative way of understanding the context of education is offered.

6.1 GOVERNANCE: GOVERNING SUBJECTS (1 & 2 SEP 2015)

• The notion of governance • Implications for schooling

6.2 GOVERNANCE: SCHOOL RULES (3 & 4 SEP 2015)

• Case study

6 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding governance outlined by Tait • Discuss current events that link with the governance topic • Critical pedagogy

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Governance (Chapter 4). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

7.1 SUBJECTIVITY: THE SUBJECTS OF EDUCATION (8 & 9 SEP 2015)

• The notion of subjectivity • Implications for schooling

7.2 SUBJECTIVITY: DISABILITY AND INCLUSION (10 & 11 SEP 2015)

• Definitions of ability • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

7 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding subjectivity outlined by Tait • Discuss current events that link with the disability topic • Project-based learning overview • Form presentation groups o Decide on communication method between group members Note: Groups are encouraged to communicate during the mid-semester break.

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Subjectivity (Chapter 5). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

MID-SEMESTER BREAK (14 - 25 SEP 2015)

Assessment: Submit essay 21 Sep 2015 ON-CAMPUS DAY FOR EXTERNALS (FRIDAY 25 SEP 2015) location C5A226

8.1 PRE-ADULTHOOD: VISIONS OF CHILDHOOD (29 & 30 SEP 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

8.2 PRE-ADULTHOOD: YOUTH CITIZENSHIP (1 & 2 OCT 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

8 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding pre-adulthood outlined by Tait • In groups: o Decide a presentation topic o Perform a skills audit

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Pre-adulthood (Chapter 6). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

Module 3. Cultural context of education

Cultural elements play a significant role in people’s lives, and consequently in their understanding of the society and communities they inhabit. These cultural elements inevitably influence education.

9.1 MEDIA: MEDIA LITERACY (6 & 7 OCT 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

9.2 MEDIA: SCHOOL COMMUNITIES (8 & 9 OCT 2015)

• Case study: ‘Reflections from the riot zone’ • Representations of teachers in the media

9 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding the media outlined by Tait • In groups develop presentation

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). The media (Chapter 7). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

10.1 POPULAR CULTURE: MOVIE LESSONS (13 & 14 OCT 2015)

• Popular culture and education • Representations of schools in movies • Authenticity and fantasy

10.2 POPULAR CULTURE: CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM (15 & 16 OCT 2015)

• Theories of culture • Youth culture

10 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding popular culture outlined by Tait • In groups develop presentation

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Popular culture (Chapter 8). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

11.1 TECHNOLOGY: SOCIAL MEDIA (20 & 21 OCT 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

11.2 TECHNOLOGY: MOBILE LEARNING (22 & 23 OCT 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

11 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding technology outlined by Tait • ACRR presentations commence

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Technology (Chapter 9). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

Module 4. Philosophy, ethics, the law and education

In the final module we reflect on a number of issues about the ways that schooling is organized and how actors work within these arrangements.

12.1 PHILOSOPHY: TEACHERS AND PEDAGOGY (27 & 28 OCT 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

12.2 ETHICS AND LAW: TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS (29 & 30 OCT 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

12 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding ethics and law outlined by Tait • ACRR presentations continue

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Ethics and law (Chapter 11). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

13.1 TRUTH: THE GLOBAL REACH (3 & 4 NOV 2015)

• Definitions and terminology • School provision of services • Overview of developments in policy

13.2 REFLECTION AND REVIEW (5 & 6 NOV 2015)

Finally, to assist with exam preparation, a review of the entire unit.

13 Tutorial activities

• Discuss the myths regarding truth and post-colonialism outlined by Tait • ACRR presentations continue

Essential reading

Tait, G. (2013). Truth and post-colonialism (Chapter 12). In Making sense of mass education. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Present ideas in creative ways that assist in developing new understandings and solutions to problems
  • Be able to effectively communicate ideas

Assessment task

  • Artefact Creation and Report

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be able to work collaboratively and ethically with others
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

Assessment task

  • Artefact Creation and Report

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Develop skills in the analysis and critical review of academic and media material, and anticipate how this understanding could be applied

Assessment task

  • Artefact Creation and Report

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the key historical and social issues in Australian education, and identify links to contemporary situations and events
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

Assessment tasks

  • Reviewing Academic Literature
  • Educational disadvantage
  • Artefact Creation and Report
  • Examination

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Develop skills in the analysis and critical review of academic and media material, and anticipate how this understanding could be applied

Assessment tasks

  • Reviewing Academic Literature
  • Educational disadvantage
  • Artefact Creation and Report

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Be able to find relevant information about social and historical events in education from a range of sources including the library, newspapers and electronic sources

Assessment tasks

  • Educational disadvantage
  • Artefact Creation and Report

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Be able to effectively communicate ideas

Assessment tasks

  • Educational disadvantage
  • Artefact Creation and Report

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be able to work collaboratively and ethically with others
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

Assessment tasks

  • Educational disadvantage
  • Artefact Creation and Report

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be able to work collaboratively and ethically with others
  • Develop an understanding of the ways issues in Australian education impact the teaching profession and others.

Assessment tasks

  • Educational disadvantage
  • Artefact Creation and Report

Changes from Previous Offering

The following changes have been made for the 2015 version of this unit:

  • The readings set for assessment and tutorial work have been changed
  • The name of the Current Issue Collaboration (CIC) task has been changed to Artefact Creation and Reflective Report (ACRR) and substantially revised
  • Assessment rubrics have been revised and improved

Text and readings

Required text

Tait, G. (2013). Making Sense of Mass Education, Port Melbourne, Vic.: Cambridge University Press

Readings available electronically

The readings mentioned in the unit outline are available electronically from the Macquarie University library collection of electronic journals and can be accessed via the catalogue, journal finder or databases links.