Module Information

Module Identifier
ED32720
Module Title
MAKING SENSE OF THE CURRICULUM
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Professor Peter S Neil
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 Hours.
Seminars / Tutorials 10 Hours.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 assignment of 2500 words  50%
Semester Assessment 1 assignment of 2500 words  50%

Learning Outcomes


On completion of this module, students should be able to:

  • demonstrate familiarity with the vocabulary and concepts that inform debate on curriculum planning;
  • demonstrate an awareness of the influence of the 1988 Education Reform Act on teaching and learning in schools in England and Wales, including its genesis and its implications for practice;
  • analyse and compare the National Curriculum in England & Wales and a state-directed curriculum in another country.

Brief description

This module offers an introduction to curriculum planning and practice, and the ways in which these have been applied in the development of the National Curriculum in England, Wales, and beyond.

Aims

  • To introduce some aspects of curriculum planning, with reference to the National Curriculum of England and Wales, in particular, and also the state-directed curricula of another country.
  • To introduce the practice of curriculum development, with reference to the National Curriculum of England and Wales.
  • To provide students with opportunities to analyse a specialist subject in the wider context of the National Curriculum of England and Wales.

Content


The syllabus will be based on the following:

  • An introduction to the issues: theories of learning and teaching
  • The National Curriculum of England and Wales: background and policies
  • The National Curriculum of England and Wales: theory and practice
  • The National Curriculum of England and Wales: case study 1 - Language and Humanities
  • The Primary Curriculum
  • The National Curriculum in Wales
  • The National Curriculum of England and Wales: case study 2 - Mathematics and Science
  • Curriculum Planning: past, present and future
  • State-directed curricula in another country: Australia
  • Political interpretations of the curriculum
  • The National Curriculum of England and Wales: ideals and constraints

Reading List

General Text
(1967.) Children and their primary schools :a report of the Central Advisory Council for Education (England). HMSO Primo search (2001.) Education in the United Kingdom :structures and organisation /edited by Liam Gearon. David Fulton Primo search (2001.) Learning to teach music in the secondary school :a companion to school experience /edited by Chris Philpott. RoutledgeFalmer Primo search (2001.) Teaching the primary curriculum /edited by Jane Johnston, Mark Chater and Derek Bell. Open University Press Primo search (1999.) The National Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2:handbook for primary teachers in England. Department for Education and Employment and Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Primo search (1999.) The National Curriculum Key Stages 3 and 4 :handbook for secondary teachers in England. Department for Education and Employment and Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Primo search Coulby, David. (2000) Beyond the National Curriculum;Curricular Centralism and Cultural Diversity in Europe and the USA/David Coulby Falmer Press Primo search Crombie, W. (March 1997) Curriculum Innovation:A Celebration of Classroom Practice McGraw-Hill Education Primo search Dearing, Ron (1993.) The National Curriculum and its assessment :an interim report /Ron Dearing. National Curriculum Council Primo search Dearing, Ron (1994.) The National Curriculum and its assessment :final report /Ron Dearing. School Curriculum and Assessment Authority Primo search Griffith, Rhys. (2000) National curriculum: national disaster;Education and citizenship/ Rhys Griffith Routledge Falmer Primo search Hennessy, Sarah. (1998.) Coordinating music across the primary school /Sarah Hennessy. Falmer Press Primo search Kelly, A. V. (1999.) The curriculum :theory and practice /A. V. Kelly. Paul Chapman Publishing Primo search Kelly, A. V. (2004 (various p) The curriculum :theory and practice /A.V. Kelly. Sage Publications Primo search Kelly, A. V. (1989.) The curriculum :theory and practice /A.V. Kelly. Paul Chapman Primo search Kelly, A. Vic (April 1999) The Curriculum:Theory and Practice Paul Chapman Publishing Primo search Marsh, Colin J. (2004.) Key concepts for understanding curriculum /Colin J. Marsh. RoutledgeFalmer Primo search Ross, Alistair Guy (Feb. 2001) Curriculum:Construction and Critique Taylor & Francis Group Primo search
Barton, David (1994 (various p) Literacy :an introduction to the ecology of written language /David Barton. Blackwell Primo search Graham, Judith (2003.) Writing under control / Judith Graham and Alison Kelly. David Fulton Publishers Primo search Graves, Donald H. (1983.) Writing :teachers and children at work /Donald H. Graves. Heinemann Primo search Mallett, Margaret. (2003.) Early years non-fiction :a guide to helping young researchers use and enjoy information texts /Margaret Mallett. RoutledgeFalmer Primo search Spencer, Margaret Meek (1992.) On being literate /Margaret Meek. Heinemann Primo search Wray, David (1997.) Extending literacy :children reading and writing non-fiction /David Wray and Maureen Lewis. Routledge Primo search Wray, David (1994.) Literacy and awareness /David Wray. Hodder & Stoughton Primo search (2002.) ICT in the primary school /edited by Avril Loveless and Babs Dore. Open University Press Primo search Recommended Text
http://www.curriculum.edu.au http://www.inca.org.uk http://www.minedu.govt.nz http://www.qca.org.uk OFSTED The Annual report of Her Majesty's Chief inspector of schools 2004/5 : Music http://www.ofsted.gov.uk

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6