Education in a Changing Society

ECTS Credits

15 ECTS

Level of Study

Bachelor

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Teaching semester

Autumn

Objectives and Content

With a basis in social theories and educational research this course is concerned with global challenges facing the current educational system and consequential developments of the Norwegian/Nordic educational institutions.

Through topics such as the history of education, education and inequality, education and globalisation, the politics of inclusion, and challenges tied to digitalization, the course deals with the possibilities and limitations offered to people and societies at local, national and global levels by educational institutions. The tension between international economic and political trends on the one hand and culturally and historical distinct approaches to national educational policies on the other will be scrutinized.

Students will learn to identify the objects and functions of educational institutions and educational policies and to develop a critical understanding of what characterizes democratic, diverse and inclusive education.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course the students should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student..

• can explain the main traits of how the Norwegian educational system grew forth
• can understand the function of educational institutions in a modern knowledge and network society locally, nationally and globally
• can perceive possible challenges for education in a complex, diverse society
• can keep up to date on social educational research

Skills

The student ..

• can explain and use relevant educational and social perspectives
• can discuss questions concerning educational challenges in a changing society
• can reflect critically on the role of educational institutions in society
• can assess and refer to relevant information and use this when working on a problem for a paper

General competence

The student ..

• can plan and conduct an independent written work
• can give scholarly feedback to others' written work

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Access to the Course

The course is open for students admitted to the one year programme in Education, students admitted to the Bachelor's Programme in Education, and for exchange students.

Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching

Organised teaching consists of lectures, seminars and written assignments with feedback from course instructor and fellow students.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

It is compulsory to hand in assignments during the semester.

Forms of Assessment

The exam essay entails writing a paper of 2500 words +/- 10 %, based on a research question articulated by the student. To keep the topic and the discussion within the frames of the course the student must draw at least 60 % of the references from the reading list of the course.

Grading Scale

A-F

Subject Overlap

5 ECTS credits reduction when combined with SOS108

15 ECTS credits reducthin when combined with PED200

Assessment Semester

Autumn and spring

Reading List

The reading list will be available 01.06. for the autumn semester and 01.12. for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the routines for participatory evaluation of the Faculty of Psychology and the Quality Assurance System of the University of Bergen.

Programme Committee

Departement of Education

Course Coordinator

Department of Education

Course Administrator

Faculty of Psychology