Critical Perspectives on Curriculum and Pedagogy
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| EDUC4045 | Education | 4 | 30 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- EDUC4045
- School
- Education
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 30
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module critically examines contemporary debates surrounding orthodoxies in curriculum, learning and assessment in schools, and how these relate to policy and practice. In particular it considers the way different orthodoxies frame what children and young people learn in schools, how they learn and how assessment practices inform learning processes. The module will explore these orthodoxies in terms of their origins and purposes and it will consider alternative models from an international perspective.
The module starts by considering the history, politics and ideology of the curriculum as it currently exists. It then develops understanding through application of psychological, social and cultural theories of learning and assessment. These theorised views of schooling and classroom practices enable us to analyse and critique the wide-ranging policy and research discussions about curriculum, learning and assessment that are currently under way.
Participants will be engaged in considering how developments of, and alternatives to, current practices will impact learning and teaching in the future.
Target Students
Students on the MA Education
Classes
This module is taught through a series of seminars.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 6,000 words or equivalent.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to:Develop understanding of the ways in which school curricula are historically, politically and ideologically situated in national and global contexts;Explore the potential impact of national and global policy agendas in curriculum reform in a range of contexts;Develop critical understanding of pedagogy and apply thisto participants’ professional contexts and experience;Developa critical understanding of current orthodoxies and potential alternatives in curriculum and pedagogy;To consider how theories of pedagogy and curricula can be appliedin national and global contextsLearning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On successful completion of the module, candidates will have knowledge and understanding of:
• curriculum reform history in different global contexts, including trends in official knowledge and pedagogy;
• pedagogy and curriculum and the orthodoxies that frame them.
Intellectual Skills
On successful completion of the module, candidates will be able to:
• critically evaluate theory and research in the field;
• critically analyse policy trajectories;
• theorise pedagogy and critique assessment practices.
Professional Practical Skills
On successful completion of the module, candidates will be able to:
• reflect on their experiences of curriculum and pedagogy and that of others;
• apply different theoretical perspectives on curriculum and pedagogy to a range of education contexts.
Transferable (key) Skills
On successful completion of the module, candidates will have the capacity to:
• critique policy and research educational change;
• understand the relationship between policy and practice in education.