SA6-503 Understanding Educational Policy

Contents and structure

The course will provide insight into and understanding of questions related to educational politics. The course gives an introduction to public policy, the administration's role in politics, and what separates the politician from the subject-matter expert. One also delves into coordination and cooperation between sectors and different levels of government, as well as the role of leaders, professionals, and users in the welfare state.

Learning Outcome

The course will contribute to the student achieving the following learning outcome:

Knowledge:

• has thorough knowledge about policy and administration, especially in the context of the educational system
• has thorough knowledge about coordination- and cooperation challenges between services at the same level, and between organizations at different levels
• has advanced knowledge about the role of the professionals, leaders, and users, in the educational sector

Skills:

• is able to use theory to analyze features of the development of the educational sector, and discuss how these influence the context for leadership, professional practices, and the interaction with users
• is able to complete a scientfic written work which has an active use of theory and research from the research field.

General competence:

• is able to understand and analyze educational politics as a context for leadership and research from the policy area
• is able to use theory and knowledge from the academic discipline to reflect on and communicate with both experts and the public about general challenges for the sector and about daily practices in one's own organization

Entry requirements

None

Teaching methods

Teaching methods

This course’s teaching and working methods alternate between lectures, project- and group work, oral presentations, and supervision.

Compulsory learning activities

Compulsory learning activity

Work requirement: Two short texts (800 - 1200 words) prepared between the sessions.

Coursework requirement One literature seminar: Work in groups with a joint article and presentation in plenary at the seminar

Coursework requirements: All must be passed to take the exam.

Assessment

Assessment

An assignment that deals with educational policy issues or challenges, and where the student uses relevant theories and concepts from the course. The assignment can be solved individually or in groups of up to two students. For individual assignments, the scope is 4,000 words; in groups, the scope is 6,000 words.

Letter grade A - F, F-"not passed".

In the event of failing, there is a possibility to hand in a reworked assignment in the following semester. If you wish to improve your grade, the revised text can be submitted the next time the exam is held.

Examination support material

All support material is allowed

More about examination support material

Course reductions

• SA6-409 - Politikk, styring og endring i helse- og velferdssektoren - Reduction: 10.5 studypoints
• SA6-410 - Politikk, styring og endring i utdanningssektoren - Reduction: 10.5 studypoints
• SA6-408 - Utdanningspolitikk - Reduction: 15 studypoints