This module aims to explore the social, cultural and economic issues that shape an individual’s educational opportunities and pathways. We consider the ways that social organisations and social structures can promote and reinforce social inequalities amongst different groups of people, especially by socio-economic status (class), gender and ethnicity. Each session presents a different theme relevant to educators concerned about aspects of social justice, equalities and educational practices. Students are introduced to key concepts and issues, such as questioning the notion of meritocracy for example. Students are encouraged to draw upon their own experiences in exploring how social justice issues within educational processes and practices are constituted and contested.

Assessment 2: Course Work (Learning outcomes 1 and 2)
Using a current theme, students will reflect upon their own educational experiences. The reflection will examine the theme in detail and in relation to educational experience(s).

The teaching, learning and assessment strategy has been carefully developed for this module. It recognises you may bring with you practical experience and knowledge of specific contexts to share with others. This pool of practical experience will be used to promote discussion and debate, which will build upon existing knowledge to encourage reflection and critical thought. You will be an active participant in your learning and engage with online learning, some face to face content, group activities and individual tasks set. You will be encouraged to be a critical thinker and apply your learning in an academic and professional context. Some sessions require prior reading and independent research to inform the sessions.

A digitally enabled approach will be used to support both virtual and face to face opportunities. University workshops will draw upon your experience and help you to interpret that experience in the light of current thinking on teaching, learning, assessment and schooling in relation to literacy and numeracy. You will also be asked to use the ideas explored in the sessions in planning your future work. You will also be asked to collaborate with others in preparing and presenting your work.

The methods are designed to provide practical contexts for the analysis of contemporary issues and problems of a practical nature. The following strategies will be adopted to ensure that you have a supportive teaching and learning environment, providing a range of learning opportunities.

Work Related Learning – You will be required to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and work-place policies in your taught sessions. Work-based activities either as class based simulated tasks or in the workplace help students to establish connections between the workplace and issues raised by the programme.

Lectures - You will be given lectures which will provide theoretical underpinning on key educational concepts. These may take the form of face-to-face, digital or virtual sessions

Tutorials – You will be given the opportunity to discuss work-related and academic concerns in small group tutorials and/or individual tutorials. This will support the development of theoretical understanding.

Guided reading and supported self-study – You will be provided with booklists and reading tasks in order to enable you to engage with relevant and appropriate debates. This module will also provide opportunities for you to:

- Work with others
- Develop interpersonal skills
- Demonstrate the capacity to plan, share goals, and work as a member of a team
- Communicate and present oral and written arguments

1) Present, evaluate and interpret key themes of educational policy development.

2) Reflect on personal educational experiences using theoretical perspectives and informed by academic literature.

Unless otherwise stated, all books are available online through Staffordshire University library website when logged in using your university username and password. If you have difficulty accessing these, please contact the University library. There is also an online reading list for each module on this course. To access this, go to http://staffs.rebuslist.com/ and then type in the module code in the search box.Do not worry if this list seems excessively long. You may wish to focus on texts which are most relevant to your education sector. This module covers a wide range of texts and you may find that you only need to read short sections of the texts listed (or from other texts that you may find in libraries or journals). Your tutor will also advise you on the relevant texts and sections of texts to read. Remember that it is important to show you have considered views from a wide range of sources. When referring to texts in your assignment, always use https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/refzone for guidance. There are many versions of Harvard referencing systems in use around the world, but for Staffordshire University, Refzone Harvard system is the only correct method to use.

Study skills: For guidance on academic writing, remember that the Staffordshire University library holds a wealth of resources to support study skills at https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills. The study skills team can also provide 1 to 1 support

VLE Resources¿: Your University VLE will enable you to have access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists.¿ Your VLE offers opportunities to engage in group work and independent learning¿by the use of¿such things as synchronous/asynchronous discussion boards, video links, blogs and wikis.¿¿

Bartlett, S. and Burton, D. (2020) Introduction to Education Studies. London: Sage. Brown, A. and Wisby, E. (2020) Knowledge, Policy and Practice in Education and the Struggle for Social Justice.¿: Essays Inspired by the Work of Geoff Whitty. London: UCL Press.

Lord, J. (ed.) (2020) Studying Education: an introduction to the study and exploration of education. London: Sage. Smith, E. (2018) Key issues in education and social justice. 2nd ed. London: SAGE

Trotman, D., Lees, H. and Willoughby, R. (2017) Education Studies: the key concepts. London: Routledge.

This module provides an opportunity to explore how and why we have schooling, and our current compulsory education system. You will reflect on your own experiences of education and how education policies and approaches provide potential or opportunity. We will also explore limitations and societal, social, political and economic challenges in educational contexts.

This introductory module will enable you to have a broad understanding of educational contexts so that you can start to consider your potential role in the many possible and exciting future educational opportunities.