CYP4012 - Introduction to the Sociology of Education

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Identify basic sociological perspectives on education;
Show an awareness of how social differences e.g. class, ethnicity and gender affect educational life chances;
Recognise how sociological concepts relate to the analysis of education.

Content:

The module introduces pupils to basic sociological approaches to education. This will include introducing students to:
• Basic sociological concepts used in the analysis of education
• Conflict, consensus and action theories
• Debates around the impact of social differences on educational attainment.
A key feature of the course is that students will be provided with opportunities to reflect on their own educational experiences and relate these to the sociological concepts explored. Students will be encouraged to keep learning logs of their own ideas which allow for reflection on their own development and allow tutors to view the progress of student thinking.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be taught via lectures, seminars and tutorials and in workshops that utilise a range of pedagogies. This will include case studies, discussion groups and project work.

Lectures, seminars and workshops
Hours: 33
Intended Group size: Cohort

On-line support and small group tutorials
Hours: 1 (min)
Intended group size: 6-10

Guided independent study
Hours: 166

Further details relating to assessment
Both components combine to allow students to:
• Outline and explore the empirical evidence on educational attainment
• Outline the key theories which attempt to explain these patterns and assess their strengths, weaknesses and usefulness for informing policy and practice.

Assessment:

001 Analysis of patterns of achievement 1,500-word equivalent sem 1 – week 6 50%
002 Essay 2,000-word equivalent Semester 1 week 11 50%


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