Education and Society

This course critically assesses recent cultural and institutional changes in primary, secondary, and tertiary schooling. It involves debating sociological approaches to education with particular attention to the impact of neo-liberalist reforms, emphasising standardized student performance testing. Moreover, it examines the influence of the state and transnational agencies in shaping educational policy. Students will collaborate to develop critical perspectives on literacy and numeracy, youth subcultures within schools, and the challenges facing teachers. Students will evaluate, justify, and generate arguments throughout the course, consider diverse viewpoints, and propose innovative solutions. They will also engage in debates, construct insightful analyses, and experiment with creative ideas. The course encourages students to reflect on their learning and refine their viewpoints as they investigate educational topics from a comparative perspective but with a particular focus on the Australian context.