Democratic Education

Subject EDUC90639 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 hours
Total Time Commitment: 25 hours
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.

Contact

Education Student Centre
Subject Overview: This subject will focus on contemporary thinking about the role of education in developing and enabling citizenship and civic participation, against a backdrop of international developments in democratic education in schools. It covers conceptual approaches to the interrelated topics of citizenship, civic participation, democracy, human rights and youth participatory practices. The subject also offers an understanding of the places and spaces in which young people engage in active civic participation and new ways in which they practice citizenship. Students to gain an understanding of the breadth of approaches to democratic education along a continuum from minimal to maximal engagement by young people. Students will gain a critical perspective on the role of education in developing active, engaged and competent citizens.
Objectives: The students will:
  • Develop a critical perspective on the different conceptual frameworks used to understand democratic education and citizenship;
  • Explore young people’s engagement withEducation and civic life;
  • Understand the diverse ways in which young people practice citizenship;
  • Understand the role of schools in equipping young people to participate in society.
Assessment: Essay: An exploration of the concepts informing the idea of democratic education and the relationship between this and citizenship education and student participation. 2,000 words 40% (objectives 1 and 4) due mid semester

Essay: A discussion of an example of democratic education taking a critical and analytical perspective or a discussion of the ways in which young people practice civic engagement. 3,000 words 60% (objectives 2 and 3) due at the end of semester
Prescribed Texts:
  • Isin, E and Nielsen, G. (Eds), 2008. Acts of Citizenship, Zed Books: London.
  • Osler, A. and Starkey, H. (2005) Changing citizenship: democracy and inclusion in education. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
  • Apple, M. W. and Beane, J. A. 1999. Democratic Schools: Lessons from the Chalkface, Open University Press: Buckingham.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Be critical thinkers, with the capacity to be self-directed learners;
  • Have a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem solving and communication;
  • Be able to engage in meaningful public discourse, with an awareness of community needs;
  • Have an understanding of social and cultural diversity and its implications for education;
  • Have a high level of presentational, dialogic and written communication skills;
  • Be critical thinkers, with the capacity to be self-directed learners;
  • Have a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem solvingand communication.

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