Knowledge, Learning and Culture

Subject EDUC20065 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

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

Parkville campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours total commitment
Prerequisites: You must have taken the following subjects prior to enrolling in this subject
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
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

Mr Clinton Golding

Contact

Education Student Centre
Subject Overview: This subject will focus on the significance of cultural and contextual framings of knowledge and learning. Topics will include; a consideration of sociological, historical, political and cultural influences on knowledge; the analysis of knowledge and thinking from multiple cultural perspectives; novice versus expert representations of a topic; internationalisation and globalisation of knowledge. Students will be encouraged to examine the knowledge they are learning from these perspectives, and identify the implications for their understanding of the ideas.
Objectives: The aim of this subject is to lead students to understand
• how knowledge, understanding and learning are constrained by a range of influences; and
• how an awareness of these influences can lead to enhanced understanding and knowledge.
Assessment:

A 2,000-word assignment in which students will select a topic they are studying and (i) identify the cultural and contextual influences on the knowledge they are acquiring and how these influence their understanding of it, and (ii) alternative interpretations of the knowledge from other influential perspectives, due mid-semester (50 per cent);

A 2,000-word assignment in which students will select a topic they are studying and identify (i) how multiple perspectives on a topic lead to a greater differentiation and elaboration; (ii) how the topic is shaped by particular constraints such as the culture and the point in history in which it is constructed; and (iii) how the knowledge might be or become culturally and/or historically obsolete, due in the examination period (50 per cent).

Prescribed Texts: A book of readings will be produced.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: This subject will lead students to understand the processes involved in knowledge enhancement and transfer. Topics will include: the notion of creativity and innovation; the evaluation and critical analysis of ideas; the influence of sociological, historical and cultural influences on knowledge enhancement and creativity; novice versus expert representations of a topic; knowledge transfer and creativity. Students will be encouraged throughout to develop this understanding in the context of their tertiary learning and to understand themselves as knowledge enhancers.
Links to further information: www.education.unimelb.edu.au
Related Breadth Track(s): Education - Understanding Knowledge

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