2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC5042M Contemporary Global Challenges in Education Policy and Leadership Practice

30 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Michael Wilson
Email: m.d.wilson@education.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Module replaces

EDUC 5725M Developing LeadershipEDUC 5735M Developing Material and Financial ResourcesEDUC 5740M Development of Policies and Plans for ChangeEDUC 5731M Developing Staff for Institutional Improvement

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will be a foundational module for the MA in International Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (IELPS) addressing the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ questions – the issues that are currently seen as priorities for policy makers, leaders, practitioners and researchers from an international/global perspective – and for what reasons. It will facilitate critical thinking and provide a firm theoretical basis for engaging with topical debates of global educational significance. An essential feature of the module will be a wide choice of topics for assessment purposes which students can relate to their own professional/research interests, including a focus on schools, further or higher education. Insights will draw on interdisciplinary, international and cross-cultural perspectives, concluding with a focus on current and future research implications.

Objectives

• To develop a critical understanding of key global issues, challenges and debates in education that shape the policy context in which educational leaders operate
• To draw on a cross-cultural, international and interdisciplinary perspectives
• To develop skills in critical policy analysis
• To provide opportunities to engage with educational policy makers and school leaders through organised visits and extra-curricular seminars by way of follow-up in either semester 1 or semester 2.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will:
• have up-to-date knowledge of the most significant global challenges and debates in education
• have acquired the skills of critical policy analysis
• be able to understand the implications of the policy environment for leadership theory and practice
• be able to identify key issues for further research of relevance to students’ own contexts

Syllabus

The precise content of the syllabus will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect a rapidly changing policy environment, but will include such challenges as:
• policy formulation and implementation
• tackling educational and social inequality;
• social justice, inclusion and equality of opportunity;
• the impact of hegemonic neoliberal and neoconservative discourses on educational policy and practice;
• high-stakes testing, accountability and educational evaluation;
• curriculum reform and innovation;
• the internationalisation of higher education
• the impact of digital technologies on teaching, learning and management information systems
• educational funding and resource management in times of economic stringency
• future research implications
Students attending this module will be invited to engage in extra-curricular activities to enrich their learning and understanding, including attendance at CPSE seminars and annual visits to schools and London (the DfE, the Department of BIS and the House of Commons) to discuss current issues with practitioners and policy makers.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	2	8.00	16.00
Lecture	12	2.00	24.00
Seminar	3	2.00	6.00
Tutorial	3	0.50	1.50
Independent online learning hours			24.00
Private study hours			228.50
Total Contact hours			47.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Private study and independent learning will largely involve reading and research in preparation for: (a) a class presentation (part of the assessment); (b) a follow-up essay assignment; (c) follow-up reading and research at the end of each session and in preparation for the next session.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The monitoring of student progress will be achieved through:
• Registration of attendance at taught sessions
• Regular tutorials to discuss written feedback and provide advice on assignment plans and drafts
• Assessment and feedback on the first assignment at about the half-way point through the semester to facilitate further improvements in the preparation and completion of the second assignment (the essay) at the end of the semester

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	An essay of 3000 words	50.00
Presentation	Of 15-20 minutes, supported by either a PowerPoint or a Poster and a written commentary equivalent to 3000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 14/04/2016

Disclaimer

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