A variety of learning and teaching methods are used such as presentations by academic tutors and educational researchers, group discussions, case studies, workplace-related learning activities and participant centred investigations. There is a strong emphasis on activity-focused learning and participants are expected to actively engage in all sessions and the structured tasks set by tutors in-between sessions. In addition, participants are required to engage in extensive independent study so as to consolidate and extend the learning that takes place in taught sessions. This takes the form of undertaking follow-up tasks and extensive critical reading of relevant theoretical and research literature and research papers in academic education journals. Opportunities for ongoing formative feedback will be provided.

This module will enable you to develop and demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of key theories and conceptual frameworks that are used to interpret and make sense of current educational research, policy and practice, which you can then apply to your chosen context of education and developing research questions. It will allow you to develop systematic knowledge of key theoretical literature which is currently applied in your chosen area of study and enable you to further develop your potential research questions in the light of issues raised by the theory.

Arthur, J. and Peterson, A. (Eds) (2012) The Routledge Companion to Education, Abingdon: Routledge.
Ball, S.J. (2013) Foucault, Power and Education, Abingdon: Routledge.
Ball, S.J. (Ed) (2004) The RoutledgeFalmer Reader in Sociology of Education, Abingdon: RoutledgeFalmer
Murphy, M. (Ed) (2013) Social Theory and Education Research: Understanding Foucault, Habermas, Bourdieu and Derrida, Abingdon: Routledge.
Palmer, J. (Ed) (2003) Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education: From Piaget to Present, London: Routledge.
Sadovnik, A.R. (Ed) (2007) Sociology of Education: A Critical Reader, Abingdon: Routledge.
Thomas, G. (2007) Education and Theory: Strangers in Paradigms, Maidenhead: OU Press.

Relevant Journals:
British Educational Research Journal
Cambridge Journal of Education
Educational Research
Educational Review
Educational Studies
Gender and Education
London Review of Education
Oxford Review of Education
Research Papers in Education

- University Library for a range of relevant texts, e-books and academic journals
- Materials and resources on the module VLE
- Access to academic study support and library support.

1. DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THEORIES THAT ARE USED IN PUBLISHED LITERATURE TO EXPLAIN AND CHALLENGE EDUCATION ISSUES AND RESEARCH FINDINGS IN YOUR OWN PARTICULAR EDUCATION CONTEXT.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. CRITICALLY ANALYSE THE APPLICATION OF KEY THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD OF EDUCATION AND EVALUATE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND YOUR FUTURE RESEARCH.
Enquiry
Learning

3. DEVELOP A SET OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS THAT DRAW ON YOUR CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THEORY IN YOUR OWN PARTICULAR EDUCATION CONTEXT.
Application

4. EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE COMPLEX ANALYSIS AND ARGUMENT TO PEERS IN ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DOMAINS.
Communication

Assessment for this module comprises two core parts.

- An academic conference poster (1500 words equivalent) that clearly communicates a relevant educational professional issue or research question and its relationship to particular theories that might aid understanding or better conceptualisation of this issue or question. Weighted at 25%. Assesses LOs 1, 3 and 4.

- A written assignment (4500 words) that explores and critically evaluates theoretical and conceptual frameworks that are used in published research at the cutting edge of the chosen educational research area. Weighted at 75%. Assesses LOs 1 - 4.

This module will enable you to develop and demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of key theories and conceptual frameworks that are used to interpret and make sense of current educational research, policy and practice, which you can then apply to your chosen context of education and developing research questions. It will allow you to develop systematic knowledge of key theoretical literature which is currently applied in your chosen area of study and enable you to further develop your potential research questions in the light of issues raised by the theory.