EDUC3221: Political Sociology of Education

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• To study the political sociology of education in relation to educational provision and experience.

• The module addresses inequality in education and issues of meritocracy and fairness, critically evaluating policy development and practice on a national and international level.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• In terms of knowledge and understanding students will be able to demonstrate: an understanding of the sociological and educational theories and concepts used to describe education policy.
• an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the educational strategies developed in relation to social and political movements.
• an ability to reflect on autobiography and history and the ways in which this shapes their value system and perceptions of equality and diversity.

Subject-specific Skills:

• the analysis of complex situations concerning human learning and development in particular contexts, including their own learning;
• the use of examples of the implementation of education policies in practice;
• provision of well-argued conclusions relating to significant educational issues;
• students should be able to demonstrate an ability:
• to reflect on their own value systems and development;
• to question concepts and theories encountered in their studies of education;
• to interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and research.

Key Skills:

• think critically and independently;
• acquire complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way;
• construct and sustain a reasoned argument;
• communicate effectively with appropriate use of specialist vocabulary;
• use ICT and a variety of library and IT resources;
• improve their own learning and performance, including the development of study and research skills, information retrieval, and a capacity to plan and manage learning, and to reflect on their own learning;
• work to deadlines.

• Students will be introduced to a range of sociological and educational theories concerning the sociology of education and policy studies through a lecture and tutorial programme.
• As part of that programme students will not only listen to formal lectures but be expected to engage in debate and reflection through seminar discussions.
• As their summative assessment, students will be expected to write two assignments in which they will reflect critically on issues around social class and educational inequality, identity politics in education and the marketization of education.
• As their formative assessment, students are invited to submit an essay plan and proposed reference list for their first summative essay. They also have an opportunity to receive feedback on their second summative assignment plans in an essay workshop.

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