Key facts

UNE unit code: EDCX246

*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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At a time when the contexts and practices of education are shifting and new agendas are influencing educational change, this introductory unit will help you to gain a thorough understanding of education in contemporary societies.

By exploring the social, cultural, economic and political origins of key educational issues, you will understand how historical practices are tied up with current educational situations in education, and how responsive and responsible practices contribute to the ethical requirement of social justice in education.

You will analyse the impact of culture, individualism, gender, race, social class, managerialism, professionalism, technologies and popular media. This unit provides opportunities to use critical thinking skills by understanding and formulating responses to legislative, administrative and organisational requirements for issues surrounding inclusive student participation and engagement that are highly significant for understanding education today.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
candidature in BEdStuds or BEd(Prim) or BEd(SecArts) or BEd(SecMath) or BEd(SecMus) or BEd(SecSc); or candidature in Bachelor of Environmental Science

Notes

This unit addresses Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Graduate Stage, otherwise referred to as Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptors (GTSD).

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Vegnes ManiamSenior Lecturer, Contextual Studies - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Education

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. understand the historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts of education and how these impact on student learning, in particular, the strategies and resources used to support inclusive student participation and engagement (GTSD 1.2.1, 4.1.1);
  2. develop critical understanding of the practices of education in contemporary societies (GTSD 7.2.1);
  3. understand the impact on education of discourses of culture, individualism, gender, race, social class, managerialism, professionalism, technologies and popular media (GTSD 1.1.1, 1.3.1); and
  4. identify the assumptions underpinning the above discourses and critically evaluate them by understanding the levels of legislative, administrative and organisational requirements (GTSD 7.2.1).

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assessment 1Yes50%All offerings

Reflective analysis. Relates to GTSD:1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 4.1.1, 7.2.1

No. Words: 2000 (equivalent)

Assessment 2 - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

Examination. Relates to GTSD: 1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 4.1.1, 7.2.1

It is mandatory to pass this assessment in order to pass the unit.

No. Words: 2000 (equivalent)

There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Making Sense of Mass Education

ISBN: 9781009105323

Tait, G., Cambridge University Press 4th ed. 2023

Text refers to: All offerings

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