BSc Education

The course will compare different education systems from around the world in relation to schooling and higher education. It will consider  why education and skills have assumed such importance within national and international policy discourses, and what influence a range of social factors (such as the economy and labour market, plus divisions of gender, social class, religion, ethnicity) play in shaping the education and skills systems in different national contexts. In doing this it will examine a range of issues, such as: modes of educational management, the role of politics in the policy process, international comparisons and policy borrowing.

This course unit aims to deepen students’ understandings of the various forms that education systems take around the world and how these are shaped by politics and evidence. It will introduce students to research themes of educational management, policy discourse, and the economic, social and cultural factors that have an influence on the formation and transformation of educational systems. The unit also aims to develop students’ understandings of a range of educational systems, which include: schooling, higher education, but also broader educational contexts such as vocational education, the workplace and community organisations.

• Interactive teaching sessions which include both taught content (lectures) and seminar type discussions.
• Group work to prepare and present on case studies of education systems and/or comparisons.
• Blackboard discussion boards to collate and synthesise information regarding case studies/key readings.

• identify the influence of history, worldview and politics on national educational systems and educational policy.
• list the influences, principles and practices of various governmental and non-governmental agencies concerned with education management, planning, research and development.
• analyse the distinctive contribution of policy and ideology in the development of different education systems

• Use empirical evidence to analyse and evaluate claims regarding current structures and future reforms of education (e.g. higher education) in different national contexts.
• Use theoretical frameworks and concepts to unpack key problems relating to policy and practice and appreciate how different interpretations of the same issue can be made. 

• utilise digital research skills to access and synthesise relevant evidence in order to write  a case study a.
• evaluate the validity and trustworthiness of claims made using both quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• reflect on a range of careers relating to educational management, policy making and other forms of educational organisation (e.g. NGO). 

• work in a team to prepare collaborative analyses of key international challenges facing educational systems.
• Employ self regulatory techniques in approaching learning tasks and assessment.
• Reflect on career management strategies utilizing knowledge and understanding acquired on the course unit.

Detailed lists of reading on specific issues will be provided for students.  The following is a list of some key publications.

Arnove, R. F. (1980). Comparative education and world-systems analysis. Comparative Education Review, 24(1), 48-62.

Babaci-Wilhite, Z., & Geo-JaJa, M. A. (2018). A critique and rethink of modern education in Africa’s development in the 21st century. Papers in education and development, (30). http://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/ped/article/view/1459

Brock, C., & Alexiadou, N. (2013). Education around the world: a comparative introduction. A&C Black

Carter, S. C. (2000). No Excuses: Lessons from 21 High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools. Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002.

Halpin, D., & Troyna, B. (1995). The politics of education policy borrowing. Comparative Education, 31(3), 303-310.

Phillips, D., & Ochs, K. (2003). Processes of policy borrowing in education: Some explanatory and analy

Steiner-Khamsi, G., & Waldow, F. (Eds.). (2011). Policy borrowing and lending in education. Routledge.*

Verger, Antoni, Clara Fontdevila, and Adrian Zancajo. The privatization of education: A political economy of global education reform. Teachers College Press, 2016.