Postgraduate taught 

Education, Public Policy & Equity MSc

Education and Public Policy EDUC5909

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Education
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will provide an examination of current educational issues in the context of broader public policy, making connections with related policy areas such as health, social care, welfare and criminal justice. Areas to be covered include public sector governance, bureaucracy and accountability, marketisation and privatisation, professional regulation and public administration.

Timetable

Weekly

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

There are two parts to the summative assessment: the first is a group presentation which comprises 25 per cent of the final grade. The second part is a 3000 word assignment in which students will be asked to critically explore an education issue in the content of public policy. This will comprise 75 per cent of the final grade.

Course Aims

■ To provide an examination of current educational issues in the context of broader public policy, making connections with related policy areas such as health, social care, welfare and criminal justice.

■ To introduce participants to current theoretical debates in areas such as public sector governance, bureaucracy and accountability and professional regulation.

■ To assist students in developing their critical capacities around areas such as inter-sectoral working and inter-professional learning.

■ To engage students with a wide range of policy perspectives developed in inter-disciplinary settings such as public administration, social policy, sociology and political science.

■ To explore the relationship between public policy and educational equity, drawing on current policy case studies where relevant.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

Critically examine educational issues such as equity from the broader context of public policy (public sector reform, regulation, accountability, political economy)

 

Demonstrate awareness and understanding of key issues in inter-sectoral working and inter-professional learning

 

Apply the course content in individual assignments on public-policy related topics.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.