Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EFPM913: Debating the Big Questions in Education

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

The principal aims of this module are:

To enable you to critically explore a range of contemporary debates in the field of education
To introduce you to a range of varying viewpoints which might be proffered in debates on these contemporary issues
To encourage you to critically assess the issues in light of your own educational experiences, research interests or relevant professional expertise
To allow you the opportunity to actively engage in these debates with others and to develop considered statements (drawing on relevant theoretical perspectives, empirical research, policy and practice) on these issues over the course of study

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate ability to identify, effectively explain and critically evaluate key issues in education 2. Demonstrate ability to derive sound, theorized conclusions on a selected number of big issues that are debated within education
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. Demonstrate ability to select, integrate and present coherently and reflectively, orally and in writing, relevant theoretical arguments relating to education 4. Critically reflect upon and evaluate your own (and others) understandings of current issues and debates in education
Personal and Key Skills	5. Communicate and engage in debate effectively and accurately, orally and in writing, in a manner appropriate to the discipline 6. Undertake both directed and independent study to recognise, justify and analyse key ideas in the literature and relate these to research, theory, policy and practice

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30.5	269.5	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	30.5	10 x 3 hour taught sessions (online/campus), 1 x academic tutorial (0.5 hours)
Guided Independent Study	60	Set weekly readings
Guided Independent Study	109.5	Directed study e.g. web-based activities; preparing conclusive statements on the debates; preparing for academic tutorial; preparing for seminars; responding to seminar activities.
Guided Independent Study	100	Preparation for assignments and further reading

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).