Postgraduate Module Descriptor


EFPM913: Debating the Big Questions in Education

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

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:

  • Intelligence and ability
  • The implications of neuroscience for education
  • Education for sustainable futures
  • Education for global citizenship
  • Technologies for teaching and learning
  • Professional learning
  • Assessment
  • Creativity
  • Alternatives to mainstream schooling
  • Educational inequality and diversity
  • Social justice
  • Inclusion
  • Religion and faith-based education

Learning and Teaching

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
30.5269.50

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities30.510 x 3 hour taught sessions (online/campus), 1 x academic tutorial (0.5 hours)
Guided Independent Study60Set weekly readings
Guided Independent Study109.5Directed 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 Study100Preparation for assignments and further reading

Online Resources

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

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Presentation slides1,000 words1-3, 5Written and oral tutor feedback (academic tutorial)

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
80020

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Written assignment805,000 words1-3, 6Written tutor feedback
Individual presentation201,500 words equivalent1-5Written tutor feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Written assignmentWritten assignment (5,000 words)1-3, 66 weeks
Individual presentationRecorded presentation (1,500 words equivalent)1-56 weeks