MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Education Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1037-0919

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


Bachelor of Educational Studies

Course code: 0072

The course

The faculty offers the degree of Bachelor of Educational Studies for people interested in studying various aspects of education. Although the Graduate Diploma in Education is accepted as a minimum qualification for certification as a teacher, many teachers recognise that one year of professional preparation does not allow the study of educational issues in depth, and they therefore look for opportunities for further study.

The BEdSt degree provides this opportunity for qualified teachers and other professionals to undertake advanced studies in the theory and practice of education. Many of the subjects in the course are related to the development of professional expertise (eg in curriculum innovation, evaluation, and administration). These and other subjects can also provide an introduction to educational research. Students may select from a wide range of subjects chosen from several groups, or specialise in one area of study.

It is possible to complete the six subjects of the BEdSt course in one year's full-time study, but most students complete the subjects over two or three years of part-time study.

As the results gained in subjects for the BEdSt degree will be taken into account in any subsequent application for entry to candidature for the MEd or MEdSt degrees, students should examine the regulations for these degrees before commencing their BEdSt program and should also consult the graduate studies adviser if they contemplate such progress in future years.

Selection and enrolment

A graduate who has gained the Graduate Diploma in Education, or has successfully completed a course of teacher education approved by the faculty, may apply for admission to candidature for the degree of Bachelor of Educational Studies. (There is provision for limited entry of non-graduates; see regulation 2.2.) In any year the faculty may recommend that a quota be imposed on the admission of BEdSt candidates or on enrolments in individual subjects in the course.

Applicants for admission to the Bachelor of Educational Studies course should obtain the appropriate application form from the inquiry office, School of Graduate Studies. The results of applications will be notified to all applicants as soon as possible after the closing date.

There is provision for admission of new students in the second half-year, but the availability of such places will depend on the faculty's total enrolment at the time. Candidates interested in admission in mid-year should inquire through the inquiry office prior to the first Friday in June.

Course outline

The course for the degree of Bachelor of Educational Studies consists of six subjects; except where prerequisites are defined in relation to any particular subject these may be taken in any order. It is possible to complete the six subjects for the degree in one academic year of full-time study, but the majority of students undertake the course by part-time study and normally attempt two subjects in each of three years of study. Up to six years are allowed to complete the six subjects for the degree, but the faculty encourages part-time students to complete the course in three or four years.

Most subjects are complete in themselves and are taught and examined in either the first or second semesters. However, in some cases, pairs of subjects must be taken together, and it is not possible to study one subject of the pair without the other. A statement to this effect will appear in the outline of the subjects where appropriate.

By resolution of the faculty board, each subject for the degree is offered conditionally upon there being a sufficient demand for it from enrolling students in any given year and conditionally on appropriate staff being available. In addition, a quota may be imposed in some courses.

In order to widen subject choices, students who have completed three BEdSt subjects at credit level or above may choose up to two subjects from designated masters level subjects.

Subjects

The following course advisers are available for consultation about the selection of subjects:

Group 1: Ms E Chapman

Group 2: Associate Professor G Burke

Group 3: Dr R Small

Group 4: Mr B Holkner

Subjects available for the degree of Bachelor of Educational Studies are set out in this section.

+ GED0603 Studies in education

+ GED0604 Studies in education

+ GED0605 Reading subjects in education

+ GED0606 Reading subjects in education

These subjects are offered in special circumstances (see subject descriptions to follow).

Group one: Psychology and special education

Group adviser: Ms E Chapman

The three subjects provide educators in schools, hospitals and industry with introductions to studies of learning, development and behaviour.

+ GED1603 Psychology of learning and instruction

+ GED1607 Child and adolescent development

+ GED1610 Behaviour change strategies for the helping professions

Group two: Social, administrative and policy studies

Group adviser: Associate Professor G Burke

In the BEdSt program, group two offers introductory subjects in areas of study related to contemporary issues in education and society, educational administration and management, and vocational education and training. They are designed to help students develop additional perspectives and fields of interest that may be useful in their professional work in both education and other fields such as nursing and related helping professions.

Group two also sponsors or co-sponsors faculty programs in the education of girls and women, special education, guidance and counselling, health and human relationships, teaching, curriculum and evaluation in schools, and research methodology.

Students needing advice on their selection of subjects should consult the group adviser or the lecturer whose specialisation is most relevant to their interests.

+ GED2605 Introduction to the management of educational organisations

+ GED2607 Education and Australian society

+ GED2609 Curricula for work-related learning

+ GED2610 Systematic approaches to work-related learning

Group three: Studies in philosophy, history, language and the law and education

Group adviser: Dr R Small

The group provides both distinct and interrelated fields of study in the philosophy of education, history of education, literacy and language studies and the law and education. There is no limit to the number of studies in the group a student may complete, either across the range of the group's offerings or within one discipline - philosophical, historical, language studies, or the law and education. There are no prerequisites for the study of any individual subjects.

+ GED3601 Ethics and health education

+ GED3603 Media studies and critical literacy: reading popular culture

+ GED3604 Existential perspectives in education

+ GED3619 History of education through biography and family history

+ GED3620 History of Australian education and other welfare services

+ GED3623 Philosophy for children

+ GED3624 Issues at the legal interface of education

+ GED3625 Computers in the literacy classroom

Group four: Science, mathematics, technology, curriculum and evaluation studies

Group adviser: Mr B Holkner

There are six areas of educational studies offered by group four: curriculum, teaching and professional development; evaluation in education; science and environmental education; mathematics education; technology education; educational computing and educational technology. Advice about offerings and programs can be obtained from the group adviser.

+ GED4601 Issues in mathematics and science education

+ GED4602 Studies of learning and teaching

+ GED4611 Introduction to physical sciences and the environment

+ GED4618 An introduction to health education

+ GED4620 Advanced practicum

Note: Upon completion of three subjects at credit level or above, BEdSt students may study designated masters level subjects (marked with an asterisk [*]).

Physics upgrade subject

BEdSt regulation 3.3 permits the study of appropriate subjects from other faculties for the degree. For students interested in upgrading in the physics discipline, attention is here drawn to the subject PHS3360.08 (Physics project). This allows flexible creation of a program to suit each individual student. Details are in the Faculty of Science handbook.


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