Course syllabus

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PDA085 Introduction to International Master in Educational Research

15 credits, second cycle

 

Confirmation

This course syllabus was confirmed by Faculty of Education on 2010-01-15 and was last revised on 2018-05-14 by Department of Education and Special Education to be valid from 2018-07-01, autumn semester of 2018.

Field of education: Education 100%
Department: Department of Education and Special Education

Position in the educational system

The course can be part of the following programme:  International Master's Programme in Educational Research (L2EUR).

Main field of studies: Education and Didactics
Specialisation: A1N, Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the course, Introduction to the International Master in Educational Research, the student must possess a first cycle degree in Social Sciences with a minimum of 60 higher education credits in Education, or an equivalent degree. Furthermore, the student must possess proficiency in English equivalent to English B in the Swedish upper secondary school with at least a pass mark, or a valid test of English as a foreign language TOEFL (232 computer based), 575 (paper based) and IELTS with a minimum score of 6,0 in all scores, alternatively a bachelor's degree from an education held in English.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

  • critically engage with the history and development of educational theory and research as both a discipline and a research field;
  • identify, critically discuss and compare key concepts within educational research;

Competence and skills

  • identify, describe and critique different traditions of educational research;
  • critically evaluate educational research texts as exemplars of such different
  • traditions;
  • clarify the student's own research stance: the student's ambitions, and/or the
  • student's personal beliefs, about the nature of good research;

Judgement and approach

  • reflect on the student's own research identity in relation to research contexts;
  • work out what possible (theoretical, practical, ethical) consequences are implied by
  • the student's own research stance.

Course content

The course introduces different ways in which educational research is being discussed and organised, internationally as well as in the Swedish context, in terms of historical development and contemporary practice. Educational research is exemplified through shared critical reading of texts taken from a diverse range of research contexts. Globalisation is an important example of research context; other contexts will also be covered. Great emphasis is placed on different ways to think about educational research and what it might mean to take part in research: what it is, what it has achieved, and what its ambitions might be. Philosophy of education and the student's own thinking therefore play a pivotal role in the course.

Form of teaching

The course is taught in a combination of lectures and seminars. The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

The assessment is based on following assignments:

  1. a written presentation of the student’s motivation for joining the programme, his or her personal and professional experiences, and interests in educational research;
  2. short oral presentations in compulsory literature seminars;
  3. a written course paper.

In case of work not meeting pass standard, the tutor may instruct further work to be undertaken prior to final assessment.

A student who has failed the course twice has the right to change examiners. In order to do so, a written application must be sent to the department.

The number of examination opportunities is limited to five.

Should the course be terminated, or undergo significant changes, the student is guaranteed at least three examination opportunities, including the regular examination, during a period of at least one year based on the original course.

Grades

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
For the grade Pass, the assignments 1-3 must be graded a Pass (G). For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), assignments 1 and 2 must be graded a pass, while assignment 3 must be graded Pass with Distinction.

Course evaluation

Evaluation is an integrated part of the course. Students are invited to complete an online course evaluation form. Responses are anonymous. The results of the evaluation are made available to the students as part of an annual course report that also details course improvements to be made.

PDF download of the syllabus

PDA085 Syllabus.pdf

 

 

 

Course summary:

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