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Unit name |
Comparative Research |
Unit code |
EDUCD0092 |
Credit points |
20 |
Level of study |
D/8
|
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
Unit director |
Dr. Mitchell |
Open unit status |
Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None
|
Co-requisites |
None
|
School/department |
School of Education |
Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
Much can be learned from the experience of other education systems, but disciplined and systematic comparative research also draws attention to the dilemmas of the transfer of educational policy and practice from one context to another. Drawing upon detailed analyses of contemporary comparative and international studies, and upon research projects carried out within the Graduate School of Education, this unit examines how we may best learn from, and apply, comparative perspectives in both our professional work and research and scholarship. The unit focuses upon the potential and pitfalls of education policy transfer, upon issues relating to the quality of education, upon the place of context and culture, and upon the importance of forging strong linkages between educational research, and policy and practice.
Aims:
- Develop critically informed expertise in the comparative analysis of education systems.
- Deepen participants knowledge and understanding of the educational implications and challenges generated by increasingly rapid international policy transfer.
- Demonstrate the significance of socio-cultural context in educational research and development with specific reference to the analysis of tensions between local and international agendas.
- Demonstrate how the above issues impact upon initiatives designed to improve the quality of education in a variety of different contexts world-wide.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit, participants will be able to:
- Understand and actively participate in disciplined comparative and international research in education
- Apply comparative perspectives in the advancement of educational research and development relating especially to the educational management and policy arena.
- Situate contemporary studies of education within an intellectual framework that deals with the forces of globalisation, while simultaneously recognising the significance of post-modern and post-colonial analyses that highlight the influence of culture and context.
Teaching Information
This unit will be taught using a blended approach consisting of a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities including seminars, lectures, reading and discussions
Assessment Information
Completion of a 4,000 word essay is required on one of the selection of topics chosen from the course.
Reading and References
- Arnove, R F and Torres, C A (Eds) (2003) Comparative Education: The Dialectic of the Global and the Local. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc (2nd edition)
- Bray, M, Adamson, B & Mason, M (Eds) (2007) Comparative Education Research Approaches and Methods, Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong Comparative Education Research Centre/Springer
- Crossley, M and Watson, K (2003) Comparative and International Research in Education: Globalisation, Context and Difference, London & New York: Routledge Falmer
- Crossley, M and Tikly, L (2004) (Eds) Postcolonialism and Comparative Education. Special Issue of Comparative Education 40(2)
- Hayhoe, R and Pan, J (Eds) (2001) Knowledge Across Cultures: A Contribution to Dialogue Among Civilizations. Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong, Comparative Education Research Centre
- Jones, P (Ed) (2007) Global Governance, Social Policy and Multilateral Education, Special Issue of Comparative Education 43(3)