| Unit name | The Dynamics of Global Higher Education |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EDUCM0068 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lucas |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Education |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will examine the socio-political, economic and technological changes that are shaping how higher education is being transformed. It will locate higher education in historical context, looking at the way in which ideas of the university, forms of the university and relations between the university and society have changed over time, introducing students to key texts in the canonical history of universities. It will examine how technological, economic, political and wider social changes are requiring universities to examine their purpose and change their practices.
At a global scale, the unit will examine how higher education is developing in different parts of the world in response to the dynamics of globalisation, internationalisation and debates around post-coloniality, whilst also critiquing and problematising these concepts. The unit will explore the current landscape of policies and debates relating to higher education across a range of national contexts. This includes, key dynamics of changing forms of governance and regulation of higher education, commodification and marketization of higher education, forms of relations between higher education and civic society, changing forms of knowledge production, access and equity to higher education, the changing roles and identities of students and academics within the university. The imaginary of the university of the future and potential scenarios will also be explored. Students will be encouraged to critically reflect upon their own experiences and to consider alternative ideas of the university and possible scenarios for future systems of higher education.
Unit Aims
Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
The unit includes a variety of teaching and learning methods, including: tutor-led input and discussion and group activities, including student led presentations or discussion based on a critical reflection on a key supplementary reading. Students will also take part in a weekly debate and be encouraged to take part in writing an online blog.
Summative assessment will comprise of a 4,000 words essay. Formative assessment will comprise of engagement in class blog and small group tutorials.
Students will take part in a class blog, which will also enable support and formative feedback from peers and tutors through online discussion. This will involve engaging critically with key debates and key themes in the unit (ILO 1 and ILO 4).
The summative assessment will take the form of an essay of 4,000 words (100%) and formative feedback will be provided through small group tutorials with tutor and peer feedback given on assignment outlines. This assignment will enable a critical engagement on a key area of interest relating to change within higher education and the socio-political dynamics influencing this as well as reflection on their own perspectives on higher education (ILO 1, ILO 2, ILO 3 and ILO 4).
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EDUCM0068).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
