Comparative Education Policy

Subject EDUC90145 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Coordinator

Mrs Nicky Dulfer, Prof John Polesel

Contact

Education Student Centre
Subject Overview: The aim of this subject is to investigate policies for post-compulsory education ad training in selected OCED countries, their rationale, context and effectiveness. Comparative studies provide an important avenue for understanding the cultural, socio-economic and political forces which shape policies in education and training. This subject provides an overview of a number of national systems and addresses questions about these, including tensions and challenges, policy responses, system monitoring and performance assessment, conflicts in political values, and the responsiveness of systems to emerging social and economic needs. Students are encouraged to specialize in one national system or focus on a controlled comparison of several systems. Comparisons with the Australian scene and the use of international comparisons by Australian policy-makers form part of the subject.
Objectives: Not available
Assessment: A 5,000 word paper and a 3,000 word paper to be written up from a seminar presentation.
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Teese, R. Academic Success and Social Power, Melbourne University Press, 2000; Teese, R., Polesel, J., Undemocratic Schooling, Melbourne University Press, 2003

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
  • Review policy issues in a selection of OECD countries, with a critical emphasis on frameworks of comparison and the quality of a range of current efforts at benchmarking and "league ladders";
  • Identify and understand the relevant research and policy literature in the international field;
  • Critically analyse key contemporary issues in education policy in Australia in the light of international experience and learnings.

Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Identify and access international data and research on education policy;
  • Understand the broader international policy context of their field;
  • Relate research findings to their own experience as practitioners.
Links to further information: www.education.unimelb.edu.au
Related Course(s): Master of Education Policy (International)

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