GED0201

Education and society

Ms R Triolo

6 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to make connections between the nature of education and the nature of society; understand schools and education systems as social systems; debate the aims and effectiveness of education in different social contexts; and identify and assess the impacts of significant social issues on educational practice.

Synopsis Social perspectives are applied to selected issues in teaching, learning, other school activities and to general issues of educational significance, eg issues of social change, difference and equity (gender, indigenous and multicultural perspectives), religion; current initiatives in educational policy, practice, funding, teachers' employment conditions and legal responsibilities. The recommended reading will serve as an introduction to understandings of schooling in the Australian context. Specific reading will be distributed each session.

Assessment Regular attendance at classes
* Major and minor assignment work: 100%

Recommended texts

Connell R W Teachers' work Allen and Unwin, 1985
Connell R W and others Making the difference: Schools, families and social division Allen and Unwin, 1985
D'Cruz L V and Langford P E (eds) Issues in Australian education Longman Cheshire, 1990
Foster L E Australian education: A sociological perspective Prentice-Hall, 1987
Miriam H and others Understanding schooling: An introductory sociology of Australian education Routledge, 1992