Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed knowledge and understanding of ethical issues in an educational context; techniques of philosophical discourse, rational decisionmaking under conditions of uncertainty; techniques of historical analysis; historiographical issues in education. Students should have developed a critical understanding of the development of childhood during the period 1450 to the present and also understand concepts of childhood as political phenomena.
Synopsis A study of the social, historical and philosophical influences on education. Students will critically analyse education in Australia and in other countries from a number of sociological perspectives including classroom management, teacher expectations, hidden curriculum and social issues in education. The techniques of logical and narrative analysis will be taught and students will be able to use these to evaluate the work and credibility of education theories and practices. Students will examine a range of issues in the study of the history of childhood from 1300 to the present and will become familiar with historiographical discussions relevant to the topic.
Assessment Essay on philosophical issues (1000 words: 30% + Essay on historical issues (1000 words): 30% + Examination (2 hours): 40%