Module:

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

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Module Title
Module Code	(ITS: HD3140)
Faculty		School
NFQ level		Credit Rating

Description

This module is one of five modules in the Foundations/Disciplines of Education Specialism on the BEd (primary) degree. The study of the relationship between family and education is a major concern of educational sociology. The purpose of the module is to explore relationships between families and schools from a sociological perspective. One of the most striking features of family life in Ireland in recent decades is the rapid rate at which it is changing. Family changes confront schools with organisational, pedagogical, curricular and political issue. Among the topics explored in this module will be: the nature of sociological inquiry and research; the complex and differentiated nature of parental involvement in schooling; family capitals and schooling; family diversity and recognition in school contexts; home-schooling, rationale, pedagogy and outcomes; Schools, families and homework.

Learning Outcomes

1. Deepen their understanding of sociology as a discipline and use a sociological framework for the analysis of families and schooling
2. Examine relationships between parents and the education system through lens including social class, gender and race
3. Use research-based evidence to inform and challenge common conceptions about families and school involvement
4. Examine alternative sites of education, specifically “home-based” education (home-schooling) and research on cognitive and social outcomes
5. Understand how home-school relationships are shaped and critique models of parent-teacher interaction
6. Develop models of thoughtful practice that respect and respond to the needs of families, communities, and their children

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	24	No Description
Group work	12	No Description
Independent Study	70	No Description
Assignment Completion	19	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	n/a	50%	n/a
Presentation	n/a	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Among the topics explored in this module will be:

Social class, race, gender and parental involvement in schooling

Fam

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:

Boyle, A., Flynn, M., Hanafin, J.: 2018, Parental Involvement: Irish Travellers and Early Years Education, Encounters in Theory and History of Education,, 19, 186, 0
2022: Home–School Interaction: A Vignette Study of Parents’ Views on Situations Relevant to Trust, European Education, 2022, 10.1080/10564934.2022.2081084, 0, 1
Parental involvement in homework: A qualitative Bourdieusian study of class, privilege, and social reproduction,: International Studies in Sociology of Education, 0, 1, Love, H.R., Nyegenye, S. N., Wilt, C. &. Annamma, S.
Race Ethnicity and Education: 24, 637, 0, 1, Sungwon, K, 2022
37:

Other Resources

None