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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Agency, Social Justice & School Culture
Module Code HD8111 (ITS) / EDU1174 (Banner)
Faculty DCU Institute of Education School Human Development
Module Co-ordinatorCatherine Furlong
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 10 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

Children's and their parents' lives are lived locally, within their home, schools and communities. This module critically explores the social dimension of learning of children and youth in schools by drawing on the students own experiences and creatively linking practice to theory. Exploring the sociologies of education and childhood, we will example education and childhood and how children think is influenced by the contexts in which they learn. International research reveals that where children's experiences and views are taken on board, in schools and communities, the benefits are evident for all. Students are encouraged to think sociologically and of the changing context of modern societies raising important questions about teaching and learning in schools, and in particular their own schools and wider school community. Children's agency, participation and action through the lens of children's geographies, social justice and children's rights will be analysed offering students the opportunity to explore and apply theory to enable them to reflect on the Irish education system, their own schools and their own professional practice. Schools through geography and other subjects, can make a contribution to improving children's lives, through learning about, through and in the locality, with scaffolding of agency and actions where appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically reflect on the sociological foundations of childhood and schooling and deepen understanding of equality in schools.
2. Analyse policies and practices in relation to theory and research in social and environmental justice.
3. Analyse the relationships between rights, equalities and voice in relation to pedagogies for social justice.
4. Investigate socially just practices and cultures in schools, through research and networking.
5. Research, reference and rationalise possible future ‘equity actions’ in familiar education settings.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Total Workload: 0

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Sessions
Session 1: Equality and Schooling: Thinking about children, their learning and schooling. Session 2: The Construction of Childhood in School: Children’s rights, voice, agency and participation Session 3: Pedagogies for Social Justice: The socially just school 1 Session 4: Pedagogies for Social Justice: The socially just school 2 Session 5: Pedagogies for Social Justice: Fieldwork Session 6: Present Projects: Linking Practice to Theory Through the Lens of Children's Geographies, Social Justice and Children’s rights Session 7: Panel Discussion and Open Forum. Looking at contemporary practices in schools with three case study schools

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Essayn/a100%Once per semester
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 2
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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