Undergraduate Course: Honours Seminar in Social and Educational Theory (EDUA10212)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The core purpose of this course is the building of academic literacy to enable students to develop the intellectual and theoretical resources both to sustain a critical culture as a group and to support independent study. The seminar programme is based on the intensive reading and critical discussion of papers from refereed journals and other key source texts. |
| Course description |
Academic description:
The curriculum content for this course is negotiated each year between teaching staff and participating students. Particular attention is paid to the study of: education as an essentially contested social practice which is nevertheless fundamental to a democratic way of life; the changing relationship between the state and civil society; the contemporary policy context and its implications for democracy and citizenship; politics and culture within the wider context of globalisation. The programme of study is based on informal seminar presentations and discussion. This approach is also intended to enable students to develop skills of selection, presentation, communication and debate that will inform and support their dissertations.
Outline content:
Key issues in contemporary social and educational theory
The changing relationship between the state and civil society
Perspectives on equalities and social justice
The educational implications of the current debate about democracy and citizenship
Making connections between the local and global in the era of globalisation
Systematic exposure to journal material and other relevant literature sources
Developing skills and resources for independent study
Student learning experience:
The course takes the form of a seminar, structured around a combination of tutor input and student-led presentation and discussion. The selected papers are explored critically and collectively.
Students will present an article either individually or in pairs depending on the slots available. Students will be expected to present a substantive presentation of the article Following the presentations there will be a roundtable discussion on the paper and the issues considered in each of the presentations.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand and assess the value of academic writing
- Develop skills in presentation, evaluation and critical feedback
- Lead and contribute to sustained analysis, discussion and debate
- Employ theory to develop discriminating arguments in the context of professional practice.
- Appraise social and educational theories to distinguish between normative and empirical arguments based on the critical analysis of particular texts.
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Reading List
NB. Students are required to select a journal article or book chapter which aligns with their interests and supports their dissertation studies. The reading list is negotiated each year between students and tutors. As a result, a clearly identified reading list is not possible to present in advance of the course. The following suggested texts will be helpful to support critical engagement with selected reading:
Crossley, N. (2008) Key concepts in critical social theory. London: SAGE. (online resource)
Elliot, A. (2014) Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction. London: Routledge. (online resource)
Pryke, M., Rose, G and Whatmore, S. (2003) Using social theory: Thinking through research, London: SAGE. (online resource)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1) Apply Knowledge Skills and Understanding
Use social theory to inform and reflect on professional practice
Apply desk-based social research skills in diverse professional settings
2) Generic Cognitive Skills
Critically review literature and peer-presentations
Offer professional insights by applying theory to a chosen area of practice
3) Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others
Exercising autonomy in selecting and reviewing appropriate academic literature to support independent study
Demonstrate practice that shows awareness of the appropriate roles and responsibilities required to promote ethical and effective working with others.
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| Keywords | Applied social theory,educational theory,academic literacy,democracy,citizenship,social justice |
Contacts
| Course organiser | |
Course secretary | |
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