This course identifies the major influences upon the historical traditions of adult and community education in Scotland, the U.K. and internationally. Building upon this historical background, current developments in adult education will be located within the context of contemporary social and economic trends.

Lectures and seminars to be held in the evenings.

The summative assessment instruments will be selected by the instructor from a portfolio of options, and will be equivalent to a single written assignment of 4000 words. The final form and weighting of the assessment will reflect the interests and needs of the students in a particular cohort, but options would include:
a. 3000 word essay or equivalent (75%)
b. Research proposal (75%)
c. Preparation of research related teaching materials (25/75%)
d. 1000 word review or equivalent (25%)
e. Group presentations (25%)
f. Discussion leadership (25%)
Additionally students might be expected to participate in online and/or face-to-face discussions and these could, as appropriate, form an element of the summative assessment protocol.

The overall aims of the course are:

a. To provide an opportunity to study the key features of adult and continuing education in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
b. To develop familiarity with historical developments influencing the devenopment of adult and contunuing education.
c. To locate current patterns of provision within a broader historical and geographical context.
d. To encourage students to develop historical and policy centred understanding of adult and continuing education issues..

By the end of this unit of study, students should be able to:

a. State in writing some of the key historical, economic, social and demographic trends shaping the current development of the education and training of adults.
b. Critically analyse current trends and developments across the range and diversity of adult education provision in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
c. Engage effectively in informed discussion about historical, educational and policy perspectives on adult and continuing education.
d. Produce a well-structured argument concerning key aspects of adult and continuing education.
e. Demonstrate awareness of, and adherence to, conventions of academic writing including referencing.

None.