Education Politics, Inequality and Policy

This module will explore issues of educational inequality and policy development.  This module will explore these issues through comparative case studies from the UK, the Caribbean, Africa, South America, Asia and North America.  

Overall, this module takes a thematic approach to the study of education policy globally, with a particular focus on the UK. It will examine and problematise structural, institutional and policy reforms of successive governments, subjecting them to critical scrutiny and using the lens of educational inequalities.  Each week case studies will be used to interrogate different areas of education policy and explore the underlying political dynamics and narratives that shape this policy area.   

This module will be particularly relevant to those interested in going into careers within the education sector.  We consider that this module will prepare them well to understand the underlying policy decisions in the potential sector for their future career, as well as supporting the building of a critical and analytical lens around these decisions in policy and practice. 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module the student will be able to:

1. Evaluate underlying policy narratives and ideas in relation to the purpose of education.
2. Build an interdisciplinary understanding of inequalities within education policy and practice.
3. Explain the political factors that influence policymaking and responses to policy in relation to education within the UK and globally.
4. Describe examples of social divisions exacerbated by current education policy.

Students who participate in this module will also learn a range of academic, interpersonal, communication and self-management skills.

This is an SCQF Level 10 module and upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits.

Delivery 

This module will last for 12 weeks.  Please note the module will be delivered at Paisley and Lanarkshire campuses.

Timetable information (dates to be confirmed): 

• Education Politics, Inequalities and Policy Lecture (10am to 12pm) - Paisley campus
• Education Politics, Inequalities and Policy Lecture (10am to 12pm) - Lanarkshire campus
• EPIP Seminar (1pm to 2pm) - Paisley campus
• EPIP Seminar (1pm to 2pm) - Lanarkshire campus
• EPIP Seminar (2pm to 3pm) - Paisley campus

Course presenter

This module will be delivered by Dr Nicola Hay.

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.  If you do not meet this criteria, please enquire here.