Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should understand the influence of economic, social and cultural forces on the context and form of education; the ways in which ethnicity, gender and social class influence the educational needs of students; the role of parents, employers, unions and their stakeholders in developing educational policy. Students should have learnt to analyse social data; analyse policy options and recognise their implications; interpret education budgets. Students should also value the contribution to Australian education of different cultures and different groups in society and maintain a critical attitude to public rhetoric about education.
Synopsis This is a team-taught subject that examines education and training as a social activity occurring in and influenced by its social context. The subject considers educational institutions as social organisations in the current social, political and economic context. It considers particular issues such as gender, ethnicity, class and poverty, and policies directly related to them. Reading lists will be issued at the start of the subject.
Assessment Class paper: 25% + Major assignment (3000 words): 75%