The course has been developed to enhance students' understanding of primary education in Scotland and beyond, the role of the teacher in the system and how that role might be best developed. It aims to sensitize students to important issues of teacher professionalism and identity and give them an understanding of what it means to be a teacher in the 21st century. It also supports understanding of the professional development agenda, including the need for CPD over the career span.

1 x 1hr lecture inputs weekly 

1 x 2-hour seminar weekly

None

None

Essay assignment (50%) ILO 1 & 4

Weekly short answer tests (15% total) ILO 1 & 3

Presentation and annotated bibliography (35%) ILO 2 & 4

The course aims to:

1. provide an important contextualisation for teacher professionalism within the wider political and social context locally, nationally and internationally

2. critically reflect the professional development agenda

3. highlight key historical events and developments which impact on teacher professionalism

4. provide an understanding of the teacher's role and responsibilities within schools, communities and educational / social achievement. 

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

1. demonstrate a critical understanding of teacher professional identity and development

2. exercise informed agency over their continuous professional development as teachers

3. critically analyse their professional roles and responsibilities within the wider social and political context

4. select and reflect critically upon different perspectives in relevant literature, policies, guidance and legislation, using these to present coherent arguments in class, group discussions and assignments

1. In order to be eligible for the award of credit for this course, students must achieve a minimum of 80% attendance (see programme handbook for further details).

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