This module will appeal to students interested in education from a global, sociological perspective. It will allow students to opportunity to consider their own experiences of education through the lens of sociological theory. The module will include the history of education in the local and global context, and an examination of the intersections, hierarchies, ethics and dynamics of power and inequality in the classroom, in particular how educational systems contribute to the production and re-production of social inequalities (such as class, gender, dis/ability and race). Other topics covered will include the marketization and digitization of further and higher education; the rise in 'radical pedagogies', and the inclusive curriculum. The module will ask students to consider ideas around the purpose of education and educational policy, and their sociological implications, as well as encouraging comparative analysis of international education systems. There will be a practical focus on students’ own reflexive experience of education, and how it might be experienced as a UK, international, widening participation or non-traditional students, in light of current discourse and educational policy.
Total contact hours: 22
Total private study hours: 128
Total module study hours: 150
Sociology BA
Criminology BA
Social Policy (and Social Change) BA
Cultural Studies BA
Health and Social Care BA
Joint honours programme combinations of the above
Available as an optional or elective (wild) module
Main assessment methods
Coursework – essay (4,000 words) or artefact (visual or video element + 3000 words) –80%
Coursework - Seminar participation – 20%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework
Apple, M., Ball. S.J. and Gandin, L. (eds.) (2010) The Routledge International Handbook of the Sociology of Education. London: Routledge.
Ball, S.J. (ed.) (2017) The Sociology of Education: Major Themes in Education, Vol.1-4), New York: Routledge.
Boronski, T. and Hassan, N. (2015) Sociology of Education, London: Sage.
Gewirtz, S. and Cribb, A. (2009) 'Understanding Education: the Role of Sociology' in Understanding Education: A sociological perspective. Cambridge: Polity, pp.3-25
Lauder, H., Brown, P., Dillabough J. A. and Halsey, A. H. (2006) Education, Globalization and Social Change. Oxford: Oxford UP
Reay, D., David, M. E., & Ball, S. J. (2005). Degrees of choice: Class, race, gender and higher education. Stoke-On-Trent: Trentham Books.
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 evaluate the historical, political, social and philosophical importance of education within a global society
8.2 engage with and critically evaluate education research and scholarship, and apply a sociological lens to a series of contemporary debates and challenges in education
8.3 reflect critically on their own experiences of education at school and/or in higher education, using a range of international sociological perspectives
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Demonstrate the capacity for originality in thinking by using knowledge and skills to tackle familiar and unfamiliar problems
9.2 Demonstrate academic and personal skills such as critical thinking, essay writing, problem solving, group work, time-management, and the use of information technology.
9.3 Demonstrate advanced reflective, communicative and critical debate skills, as assessed though coursework
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