Introductory description

This module will explore modules and concepts relating to education at a global level. You'll examine themes and trends that cut across geographical and national boundaries. We'll look at globalisation and children's rights to education, the Millenium Development Goals, and the marketisation fo schooling and higher education. The module explores how factors such as ideology, culture and economics impact on education.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module will explore models, concepts and themes relating to education at a global level. There are two overarching trends which structure the sessions. First, processes of globalisation provide a theoretical frame within which students will examine themes and trends that cut across geographical and national boundaries. Among other things, globalisation and children’s rights to education, the Millennium Development Goals, the investment in early years education, the schooling of migrant children and the marketisation of schooling and higher education are discussed. Second, the module will focus on the way that education is promoted within different international contexts, thereby exploring how factors such as ideology, culture and economics impact on education. There will be more of a case study approach here with students focusing on country specific education systems. For example, key case studies could be drawn from Scandinavia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, New Zealand, America or Italy. In each case the focus may be on the schooling system, the provision of early years education or the shifting role of higher education.

Indicative content:
Globalisation and children's rights to education
International commitments to children’s schooling – Millennium Development goals and Education for All
Global investment in early years education – the integration of education and care
Global marketisation of schooling
Migrant children and their schooling
New Zealand early years provision - Te Whariki
Schooling in Sub-Saharan African Countries
Schooling in Asian countries
Reggio Emilia
Scandinavian Forest Schools
Higher Education in Europe

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• 1. Students will develop an informed understanding of the nature of education in an international context
• 2. Students will be able to compare and contrast education systems in different countries
• 3. Students will develop an informed understanding of the impact of globalisation on education and schooling
• 4. Students will develop an informed understanding of the range of life-long learning in different international contexts
• 5. Students will develop an ability to present case study material relating to educational initiatives within an international context

Indicative reading list

McMahon, M. (2009) International Education: Educating for a Global Future, Dunedin
Hevener
Kaufman, N and Rizzini, I. (eds) (2002) Globalization and children: exploring potentials for enhancing opportunities in the lives of children and youth, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
J. Boyden and M. Bourdillon (eds) (2012) Childhood Poverty: Multi-Disciplinary Approaches, Basingstoke: Blackwell
Fenton, Steve (1999) Ethnicity – Racism, Class and Culture, Basingstoke, MacMillan
Faas, D. et al (2013) Intercultural education in Europe: policies, practices and trends, British Educational Research Journal
United Nations (2012) Millennium Development Goals Report 2010, Geneva: United Nations
Edwards, C. Gandinin, L.Foreman, G. (2012) The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilla Experience in Transformation, ABC, California
Brooks, R. and Waters, J. (2011) Student Mobilities, Migration and the Internationalisation of Higher Education, Palgrave
Adams L. and Krova A. (2009) Global Migration and Education, Palgrave

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

draws on sociological and educational research

International

Covers a range of countries and international organizations

Subject specific skills

Students should demonstrate a critical understanding of -

• the underlying values, theories and concepts relevant to education
• the diversity of learners and the complexities of the education process
• the complexity of the interaction between learning and local and global contexts, and the extent to which participants (including learners and teachers) can influence the learning process
• the societal and organisational structures and purposes of educational systems, and the possible implications for learners and the learning process
• constructively critique theories, practice and research in the area of education.

Transferable skills

Active listening
Cognitive flexibility
Communication skills
Complex problem solving
Confidence
Creativity
Critical thinking