Education Studies

Core Texts in Education

You’ll engage in pressing debates about education today, using classic writers from Plato to Paulo Freire. You’ll gain core analytical skills as you carry out an intense study of three contrasting texts from three different historical periods that have shaped education.

You’ll ask leading questions as you engage with the texts, and explore the status of knowledge, how education helps humans to flourish and the vocation of the educator. You’ll compare the texts with contemporary debates in educational policy and practice, and consider what we can learn from thinkers of the past.

Psychology and Education

What can the most famous psychological theorists tell us about human learning through the ages? You’ll look at learners in various settings. You’ll examine the learning environment, and factors such as motivation and different types of intelligence. You’ll gain excellent critical skills as you examine teaching and learning styles and the importance of self-esteem to the learning process.

Research Methods in Childhood and Education

You’ll gain core research tools for your final year dissertation, and future career. You’ll gain a thorough knowledge of: 

• interviewing
• observation
• questionnaires
• appropiate data analysis.

The Social World of Childhood and Youth

Do you remember how you felt as a child? We’ll explore the world of children, and how our ideas about childhood have changed through time. You’ll consider the impact of different models of socialisation on children. And you’ll explore the factors - cultural, structural and experimental - which develop a child’s identity.  We’ll make good use of life and historical material.

Alternative Educational Provisions

How can alternative education support students to achieve their best, whatever their situation? You’ll gain a strong knowledge of alternative educational provisions. These are provisions made by local authorities for pupils who, because of factors such as exclusion or illness, would not otherwise receive a suitable education. You’ll gain core critical skills as you explore a wide range of alternative educational provisions, and how they work in real life to impact student learning, well-being and achievement.

Cultural and Arts-Based Learning

You’ll examine how students can learn through exciting cultural activities. You’ll look at activities including:

• exploring cultural sites and learning contexts
• cultural artefacts and arts-based activities. 

You’ll study core theories of learning in key areas of the arts, including art, drama, music and film, and consider the significance of these areas in the educational curriculum. You’ll put core theories around culture and learning into practice, as you go on field trips and take part in practical activities at Oxford’s famous museums and galleries. You’ll gain fantastic critical skills, as you analyse how cultural artefacts and activities support learning. 

Emotional Development and Attachment

From birth to adulthood, children experience a wide range of emotional phases. You’ll study this process and gain core professional knowledge for working with children in a variety of settings, including schools, specialist provision and care settings. You’ll get to grips with the key phases of emotional development, and examine what disrupts development. You’ll build strong skills in how to manage behaviour, while understanding emotional needs and how we express them. You’ll also explore neuroscientific evidence in identifying emotional and attachment needs.

English Language Teaching to Adults

Do you dream of working as an English language teacher? Do you want to help adult learners grasp the English language? You’ll get to grips with English language teaching. You’ll gain a strong knowledge of teaching English, and essential skills in effective language teaching. You’ll also develop key practical skills for teaching English to adult learners. If you take this course, you’ll be able to apply to British Study Centres Oxford to complete your teaching practice, and acquire a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). This is recognised by Cambridge Assessment as a pre-service training qualification.

Inclusion: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

How can we provide a strong and inclusive education for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities? You’ll gain a clear understanding of the policy and practice relating to special educational needs. You’ll acquire core critical skills as you examine SEN legislation, and analyse discrimination. You’ll develop key self-awareness as you challenge your own attitudes and beliefs around SEN and disabilities.

Media, Technology and Education

How do media and technology impact our lives and understanding of the world? You’ll engage with fascinating theories and academic research on these dynamic issues and how they impact education. You’ll also explore media and technology first-hand, questioning how they affect us and education in different contexts.

Children's Outdoor Learning

You’ll explore how young children learn through play. You’ll also discover how adults plan exploration and play for children in outdoors environments. You’ll get to grips with two key areas: 

• maintaining good provisions and interactions in an early years outdoors area
• teaching and learning through the Forest School approach. 

You’ll look at how children and adults interact in a variety of situations. You’ll also gain core knowledge of health and safety training, as you study issues such as: 

• children as risk-takers
• off-site travel
• maintaining a safe environment

You’ll develop core analytical skills as you explore how research and government policy affect children’s outdoor learning.

Gender and 21st Century Education

How do gender and gender stereotypes affect teachers and learners? You’ll understand how issues of gender shape society, culture and education. You’ll gain core critical skills for your degree, as you analyse how the media and education, as well as how children are socialised, play vital roles in shaping teachers and learners. You’ll investigate these key issues, relate them to your own experiences, and apply your thoughts to key educational theories.

Controversial and Contemporary Research in Education

Why is education such a hotly argued topic? You’ll investigate controversial issues in education from previous modules, and explore new and pressing ideas. You’ll gain core teamwork and research skills for your future career, as you pursue these issues through group discussion and individual research. You’ll build key critical skills for your degree, as you evaluate evidence from sources ranging from popular media to policy texts, as well as academic texts on education. 

You’ll also enjoy seminars with guest speakers, where you’ll engage with the latest educational debates and expertise.

Dissertation

You’ll carry out independent research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll produce a dissertation of about 10,000 words, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of substantive and methodological issues in your specific area of study. You’ll have the support of an expert tutor in education. 

Recent dissertation topics have looked at issues as diverse as:

• the role of play in early years education in the UK and globally
• what factors contribute to independent learning in Maths in Year 4
• how technology is used to support communication for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, in particular the use of iPads
• the impact of the undergraduate fee rise on student aspirations.

Educational Placement

You’ll kickstart your career as you experience working in an alternative education setting. You’ll have a choice of alternative education settings within the local area, and select one which personally interests you. You’ll build on the theoretical knowledge you’ve gained about students with diverse and additional learning needs, as you put your studies into practice in a real life educational setting.

Philosophy of Education

What can philosophy tell us about education and its aims? You’ll get to know a range of current and historical perspectives on education. You’ll understand that education is full of differing values, and that its core concepts are frequently contested. You’ll gain critical skills for your future career, as you analyse some of the key texts which shape the way we understand education. You’ll also examine your own assumptions about education, and create your own reasoned arguments as you participate in current debate.

Becoming a Reader

How do children become readers? You’ll look at children’s literacy, investigating theories and debates around how children learn to read. You’ll get to grips with the key ways that children learn to read, including: 

• decoding skills
• comprehension of text
• attitude and motivation. 

You’ll look at different forms of literacy in an era of digital communication. You’ll gain the skills to understand a range of developmental theories, and articulate your own arguments.

Education in International Development

You’ll consider the role of education in international development programmes. You’ll look at how economic development, foreign aid and international relations impact educational opportunity. You’ll assess development education practices through examining real life case studies from development projects around the world.

Inclusion: Diverse Perspectives

Why have some children been excluded from education? How can we work to include various groups in education? You’ll explore the experiences of children who have been marginalised or excluded, and how this impacts the child. You’ll gain core analytical skills as you explore and critique different models and practices for improving inclusion.

Technology & Learning: Dilemmas, Challenges & Opportunities

What impact does technology have on the learning process? You’ll critically evaluate different approaches to e-learning. You’ll explore the part technology can play in creating powerful learning environments. You’ll look at how technology can enhance students’

• thinking processes
• engagement in learning 
• knowledge building.

You’ll gain key analytical skills as you discuss a range of perspectives on learning, and how to design the most effective digital learning environments.

The Principled Professional

Gain fantastic preparation for work as a professional early years practitioner. You’ll explore the core elements of the professional’s role in early years settings and other employment contexts. You’ll develop a strong understanding of professionalism, giving you the best chance to succeed in job interviews and your future career. You’ll also grow into a strong advocate for the wellbeing of children and their families.

Understanding Youth, Deviance and Discipline

Why do we see young people as the perpetrators of deviant or criminal behaviour? Or as innocents, in danger of being polluted by deviance in society? You’ll explore the links between youth culture and deviance. You’ll get to grips with the interconnected themes of youth, deviance and discipline. You’ll gain a strong understanding of the sociological and historical reasons behind how we see youth and young people’s behaviour. You’ll gain excellent skills in social analysis and the ability to critically analyse research evidence.