EDU4000 – Introduction to Comparative and International Education and Introduction to Curriculum Development
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
THIS PROGRAMME IS UNDERGOING CHANGES IN BOTH STRUCTURE AND CONTENT. CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN FALL 2010. THE WEBPAGES WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE NEW COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT SOON.
Unit 1: Introduction to Comparative and International Education and Curriculum Development.
This first unit introduces the founding fathers of Comparative and International Education and outlines the development of the field as well as its core terminology and main concepts. Furthermore, the various comparative and international educational societies are being presented together with the major journals, conferences, societies and other arenas for research dissemination within the field. The major current issues and orientations that characterize research and practices within comparative and international education will also be presented.
The second part of Unit 1 focuses on curriculum development. It focuses particularly on the major differences in curricula traditions globally and their strengths and weaknesses within the context of educational reform and renewal.
Unit 2: Introduction to Education and Development
The introduction to Education and Development falls into two parts: A) Thinking on Education and Development and B) Practice of Policies and Planning.
The first part of Education and Development aims at introducing in a historical perspective the thinking on the relationship between education and development, outlining the major dimensions of education in society and introducing the key issues in education: access, equity, quality and relevance. This will be done by examining the relationship between education and national development, setting education in the context of the world society, and by focusing on the current international policy agenda of Education for All and the underlying international collaboration in education. This part will form the basis for specialisations during spring 2010 in: Education for All, Equity and Inclusion, and International Collaboration in Education.
The first part is the foundation for the second part on Policies and Planning that will examine the issues of education and development from a more specific and practical perspective. This will include analysing educational policy and systemic change, and planning, managing, implementing and evaluating educational development in different regional and national contexts and in collaboration with international partners. A number of key issues will be introduced, including public/private provisions; balancing sub-sector priorities; learning and skills; and impact of HIV/AIDS. This part will form the basis for specialisations during spring 2010 in: Governance and Management, Curriculum as Policy, and Quality of Education.
Learning outcome
Learning Outcomes
The course will provide students with the basic understanding of the thinking of education and development, and the practice of educational policies and planning in a national and global perspective. It will highlight the current national and international concerns with education and development ad the attempts to address these concerns. Students will be able to apply the gained knowledge in continued academic work or for more practical purposes.
Admission
Students who are admitted to a study programme or individual courses at UiO must register for all courses and exams each semester by registering a study plan in StudentWeb.
International applicants: If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Only students that are admitted to the masterprogram in Comparative and international Education are admitted into the course.
Acceptance to the course is based on either a foreign university degree based on no less then 3 years of study beyond the Norwegian matriculation level, or a bachelor degree, or equivalent Norwegian education qualification, or equivalent educational qualifications approved by the institute.
A good command of English is required. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to have passed one of the following tests: TOEFL test with at least 550 points, or IELTS test with at least 6.0 points. For Norwegian applicants there is a request for grade 4 or better in English from Upper Secondary School.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course is a part of the Master Programme in Comparative and International Education. Only students accepted to the programme may attend.
Teaching
The teaching combines lectures with seminars. A minimum of 80% attendance is required of all students.
Examination
After each unit the students are required to write a minor course paper. For unit 1, the length of the paper should be between 4-6 pages.. For unit 2, the length of the paper should be between 8-10 pages – it will be given as a home assignment where both parts of the course will be covered.
The papers will be reviewed by the involved teaching staff and graded pass/fail. If a student fails a paper, he/she will have a chance to improve the paper on basis of the comments given.
Language of examination
The exams for this course are only offered in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.