2009/10 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3160 Education, Culture and Society

20 creditsClass Size: 64

Module manager: Dr Sarah Irwin
Email: S.Irwin@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2009/10

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normally 40 credits Sociology or Social Policy at level 2

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

- What is the place of education in society? - How does it relate to social inequality? - Do education systems provide opportunities for all, or do they reflect, or even reinforce, wider inequalities? In this module we will examine key debates, and examine theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence and different areas of practical intervention, including sex and relationship education and widening participation in higher education. A particular focus throughout the module will be on class related inequalities and how these are reproduced, or altered, over time. We will also explore issues in the domain of gender, sex and sexuality. We will consider links between theory and evidence, and help you develop a critical appreciation of research in the sociology of education, with reference to a range of areas including recent research by the module convenors. Through the module we focus on education - society links. We do so with reference to school and university but crucially also to the experience and perspectives of children, young people, families and adult learners as they engage with formal education. It will be assessed by one 3,000 word essay and a seen two-hour exam.

Objectives

On completion of the module students should have:

- a sound understanding of contemporary key debates within the sociology of education, and an in-depth knowledge of debates and research relating to education and social inequalities;
- developed an analytic understanding of different research methods and strategies of enquiry used within the sociology of education;
- developed a critical understanding of recent policy developments in a range of areas, and a sound grasp of their practical and theoretical implications;
- developed a critical understanding of issues relating to citizenship, diversity, equality, identity, power, the state and human welfare in the field of education;
- enhanced their sociological imagination and understanding, and their analytic competencies.

Learning outcomes
Students should have:
- attained a sound knowledge of different perspectives within key debates in the sociology of education;
- attained an understanding of the practical strategies and methods typically used within sociology of education research;
- developed knowledge of some key policy interventions within education, and their contexts and outcomes;
- a thorough understanding of the evaluation of programme-based and school-based practices in a range of educational settings;

Students will be prepared for dissertation study and further scholarly research in the sociology of education.

Syllabus

1. Introduction
Contexts: theory and research
2. A brief history of education
3. Schooling and inequality: theoretical approaches
4. Researching education, schooling and student experiences
Current debates on schooling and inequality
5. Schooling and class: cultural capital and quantitative research
6. Schooling and class: cultural capital and qualitative research
7. The gender gap in education
Educational inequalities, intervention and social practice
8. Youth and sex and relationship education
9. Widening Participation and diversity in higher education
10. Education as empowerment or control
11. Review.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Preparation reading for sessions 11x10 hours = 110 hours
- Preparation for essay = 39 hours
- Preparation for exam + 30 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance at seminars
- Participation and engagement during seminars
- Preparation of course assignment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Exam with advance information on questions	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 17/08/2010

Disclaimer

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