ED2BEP-Contemporary Education and Policy

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Richard Harris
Email: r.j.harris@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will cultivate students’ understanding of the UK’s post-war public policy context within which education is a part. It will promote the use of critical thinking in order to explore political, historical, societal and philosophical debates about education in society.  

Aims:

This module will encourage students to see education from an historical and political context, with reference to legislative and policy developments. It will consider the reasons why certain policies exist and what debates are associated with these policy areas, and what alternative perspectives exist. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Identify and explain how some key areas of policy and legislative changes in education have developed


• Identify factors impacting policy development and implementation in education


• Critically evaluate the factors that impact on policy decision making in relation to a range of policy areas


• Critically analyse alternative policy options
  
  

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The following content is indicative as the content may differ depending on current policy developments:

• Exploring the purpose of education


• How school curriculum policy is shaped 


• Policy making in informal education settings


• Policy making in formal education beyond schools


• Challenges of policy enactment 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, discussion groups, small group tasks and online contributions 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	40
Advance preparation for classes	50
Completion of formative assessment tasks	20
Essay preparation	70
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

2500 words

Formative assessment methods:

There will be an opportunity for formative assessment and feedback 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% 

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission during the summer resit period. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023