GED2607

Education and Australian society

Not offered in 1998

Mr Gerry Tickell

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Clayton

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 other stakeholders in developing educational policy. Students should have learnt to analyse social data; to analyse policy options and recognise their implications; and to 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 subject 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.

Assessment Class paper: 25%
* Major assignment (3000 words): 75%

Recommended texts

Connell R W and others Making the difference: Schools, families and social division Allen and Unwin, 1982
D'Cruz J V and Langford P E Issues in Australian education Longman Cheshire, 1990
Marginson S Education and public policy in Australia CUP, 1993