Course Catalogue

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This course provides an introduction to international and comparative education, for people interested in learning more about education as an international issue. Participants will consider why it is important to look beyond the nation state in the current context of globalization and global inequalities, and will explore suitable research approaches for developing this perspective.

Weekly

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Summative Assessment 1 (40%): Recorded Video Presentation

Submission around Week 8 of the course.

Students are asked to prepare an individually recorded video presentation (8-10 minutes in duration) about a contemporary educational issue of their choice. The presentation should include an argument for the importance of adopting international and comparative perspectives to understand and analyse this educational issue and compare the different organisations involved in addressing the issue globally, including their distinctive interests and capacities.

Summative Assessment 2 (60%): Commissioned Research Review (3,000 words)

Submission a few weeks after the final class on the course.

Students are asked to produce a research review focused on a contemporary education policy issue of their choice. The framing of this assessment involves that the student is producing the research review for an imagined client - chosen by the student - which is active in the global education policy field. This assessment requires students to discuss evidence associated with different paradigms, theories and methods in international and comparative education, and to summarise and report key findings in written form to a fictitious client.

■ To create knowledge of and appreciation for the importance of studying education in an international context

■ To introduce participants to key concepts in international education such as globalization, policy borrowing and postcolonialism

■ To facilitate reflection on the nature of social justice on a global scale

■ To familiarize participants with basic comparative methods including widely-used frameworks

To facilitate reflection on the issues particular to international research including intercultural skills

The course provides opportunities for students to develop and to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas.

Knowledge and Understanding:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically analyse the impact of the forces of globalization and internationalization on education

■ Demonstrate awareness of key debates in international education, particularly those concerning issues of equity at global, national and local levels

■ Use theories derived from international and comparative study to analyse their own educational experiences from a wider perspective

Skills and Other Attributes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Articulate the importance of an international perspective on education

■ Plan international research which demonstrates awareness of basic comparative methods and sensitivity to intercultural issues

■ Discuss and write about the above in an informed and critically analytical manner