GED0301

Social history of schooling

Dr A D Spaull

6 points - 2 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed an understanding at an introductory level of the social influences and aspects on public schooling policies and practice, especially in Australia since 1870, and an understanding of the main patterns and developments in one particular state (Victoria). Students should also be able to identify the connections between economic, political and social factors and these patterns and developments. Students should also acquire an elementary understanding on the uses of documentary and other sources in the composition of historical literature in education, and the skills to construct, write and document an essay in history of education to be based on secondary sources.

Synopsis This subject will provide an opportunity for students to appreciate and study the relationships between social forces and schooling policies and practice. The main emphasis will be on Australian experience, and topics will include the historical development of public education; the relationship of different social classes to school; the social history of teachers, etc. The Australian content will be preceded by an examination of the rise of mass literacy and the demand for schooling in Europe and North America.

Assessment Essay (not more than 3000 words): 100%

Back to the 1999 Education Handbook