Unit name | Policy and Research in Education |
---|---|
Unit code | EDUC20004 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Sands |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Education and Social Change |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Education |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will develop students’ understanding of the complex ways in which education policy, practice and research interact. Students will explore a range of case studies that demonstrate the contrasting aims, values and purposes that drive different kinds of policy interventions. Drawing on different disciplinary perspectives, they will consider how to assess the intended and unintended consequences of policy for practice. They will examine the role of research evidence in bringing about changes in practice and holding policy to account.
The aims of the unit are to enable students to:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
This unit will be taught using a blended approach consisting of a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities including seminars, lectures, reading and discussions.
Formative assessment: ILO 1-4 : 500 word poster summarising key concepts introduced in the unit. Summative assessment: ILO 1, 2 & 4 : 10 minute audio-recorded individual PowerPoint presentation analysng a selected policy, setting it in its contexts of influence, text production and practice. (25%)
ILO 1-4 : 2,000 word reflective and analytical piece of writing in the form of an essay, portfolio or series of blog posts, developing a discussion of the selected policy in assignment one, locating it in its wider thematic context and critically considering its impact, later implications and legacy. (75%).
Braun, A., Ball, S., Maguire, M. & Hoskins, K. (2011) Taking Context Seriously: Towards Explaining Policy Enactments in the Secondary School, Discourse, 32(4), pp.585-596.
Bridges, D., Smeyers, P. & Smith, R. (2009) Evidence-Based Education Policy. Oxford. Wiley-Blackwell.
Henry, M., Lingard, B., Rizvi, F. & Taylor, S. (2013) Education Policy and the Politics of Change. London: Routledge.
Nutley, S.M., Walter, I., & Davies, H. T. O. (2014) Using Evidence : How Research can Inform Public Services. Bristol, U.K: Policy Press, 2007.
Saunders, L. (2007) Educational Research and Policy-Making. London: Routledge.
Weiss, C. (1979) The Many Meanings of Research Utilization. Public Administration Review. 39(5), pp. 426-431.
Whitty, G., Anders, J., Hayton, A., Wisby, E. & Tang, S. Research and Policy in Education: Evidence, Ideology and Impact. London: Bedford Way papers.