Education Studies

Module title	Education Studies
Module code	INT3627
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	15
Module staff

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		10	10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	20

Module description

We all have experience of education but don’t necessarily question the nature of education and the processes linked to it. This module will emphasize that education is culturally influenced, and its aims and practices vary in different political, societal, historical and economic contexts. The module encourages you to reflect on your own experience, critically analyse and evaluate a variety of real-world educational settings. It is suitable for students on a variety of pathways: it includes critical thinking about topics of current and future relevance to all professions, such as global citizenship, inclusion and 21^st century skills.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of the module is to provide you with an understanding of some key issues in the study of education and educational systems. We will examine key questions such as:

How do societal changes and political ideologies influence education?
What is education for?
What educational theories can we use to analyse teaching and learning?
What knowledge and skills should be developed in the 21st century?
How should learning be assessed?
How can inclusive and equitable education be achieved?

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how systems and aims of education vary and are culturally influenced
2. Demonstrate an ability to critically analyse educational policies and practices from a variety of perspectives, including sociological, psychological, historical, and philosophical positions
3. Understand key terms and concepts related to education studies

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Apply theoretical insights to educational practice and suggest conclusions supported by relevant arguments
5. Critically engage with relevant subject specific material

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Demonstrate effective communication skills
7. Collaborate with others to share ideas and knowledge
8. Reflect on your participation in the module and development of your own understanding

Syllabus plan

Education Studies and links with other disciplines
Societal influences and legal changes in education
What is education for: what are the aims and how do they affect the practices?
The curriculum and assessment
How do we learn? Introduction to key educational theorists
Educational inequalities
Inclusion (Special Educational Needs and Disability)
Education in the age of globalisation
Education for the 21st century

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
40	110

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Set work in preparation for lectures and follow up work in preparation for seminars
Seminars	40	Teacher led and based on the related lecture and set work for this. Reflection on participation, preparation for formative seminar, tutorials
Formative assessed activities
Guided independent study	110	Research to inform preparation of seminar and assignments, accessing key resources. Students will be given pre and post lecture activities to complete in preparation for the seminars

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Formative Seminar	20 minutes	1,4,6, 7	Verbal tutor feedback
Draft assignment	1200 words	1-6	Written and verbal tutor feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Assessed seminar	40	5 minutes per student	1,4,6,7	Written summative feedback
Written assignment	60	2500 words	1-6	Written summative feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Assessed seminar	(Deferral) Group/Individual Seminar as required (with interlocuter if individual)	1,4,6,7	ASAP and before Pre-APAC
Written assignment	Written assignment (deferral) (see details of summative assessment)	1-6	ASAP and before Pre-APAC
N/A	Referral Viva	1-6	ASAP and before Pre-APAC

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs, there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.

Referral – If you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final mark of less than 40% achieved), you will be required to take a referral viva voce exam. Only your performance in this viva will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the assessment is passed. Referral viva will assess all ILOs.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Bartlett, S. and Burton, D. (2020). Introduction to education studies. 5th edition. Sage.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web-based and electronic resources:

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Key words search

Education, educational

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	24/5/2022
Last revision date	10/06/2025