GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course will introduce learners to a broad range of theories, issues and debates about the societal roles and functions of schools, universities and education systems around the world. Taking a sociological perspective, the objectives of the course are to:
- Introduce learners to a range of theories and approaches to critically analyze the roles of education in society

- Examine academic achievement and student well-being through international comparisons

- Explore debates on diversity, inclusion and decoloniality in educational contexts

- Critically examine the intersections of education and technology

- Explore debates about social mobility and reproduction through education in the context of gender, race and social class, and consider the role of cram schools in contributing to social inequality

- Explore the influence of culture on educational pedagogy in early childhood education

In addition to the acquisition of content knowledge, students will develop skills for critical online reasoning, understanding lectures given in English, and improve their communication skills through critical engagement with a wide range of topics.

By the end of the course, students will gain an understanding of a range of issues related to education and society, and be able to critically engage with debates on education through a solid grounding in education theory and contemporary research.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The primary mode of instruction will be through pre-recorded lectures and readings and in-class discussions. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, group and whole-class discussions, and independent research. Assessment will take the form of written assignments and in-class participation.

Feedback will be given by rubric-based grading of weekly reflective assignments, and a final research paper.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Introduction to sociology of education

2[対面/face to face]：What Should be Taught in Schools? For what Purpose?

The grand challenges of education: participation, relevance, quality, flexibility and funding

3[対面/face to face]：Measuring Education Success: Excellence and Well-Being in International Comparison

The PISA test and student well-being in East Asia

4[対面/face to face]：Diversity, Inclusion and Decoloniality in Education

Issues and theories of inequalities facing gender/sexual minorities, people with disabilities, and non-Western knowledge systems

5[対面/face to face]：Academic Freedom, Science and Society

Exploring tensions and constraints on freedom in teaching and research

6[対面/face to face]：Education and Social Class

Access, achievement, identities, and issues

7[対面/face to face]：Final Reports Workshop (1)

Information and literature searching; media literacy

8[対面/face to face]：Final Reports Workshop (2)

Writing research questions

9[対面/face to face]：Sociology of Education and Technology

Privacy, Big Data, AI, surveillance, personalized learning and the de-centering of schools

10[対面/face to face]：Student Activism

Comparing student-led social movements

11[対面/face to face]：Education and Culture

Preschool in three cultures: China, Japan and the USA

12[対面/face to face]：Cram Schools

Shadow education and its social influence

13[対面/face to face]：School Uniforms

Lecture and discussion on the purposes of school uniforms

14[対面/face to face]：Final reports due

•Student presentations of final reports

Preparatory reading for class and willingness to engage in discussion is expected. Students will be required to research specific topics, engage in group and whole class discussions and write a researched-based report citing high-quality sources. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

There is no textbook for this class

Brooks, Rachel. (2018). Education and Society: Places, Policies, Processes. London. Macmillan International.
Lauder, H., Brown, P., Dillabough, J. A., & Halsey, A. H. (2006). Education, globalization, and social change. Oxford university press. ISBN: 0199272530
UNESCO Institute for Statistics - http://uis.unesco.org
OECD - http://www.oecd.org

40% (weekly written assignments)
20% (active in-class participation)
40% (final research-based report)

not applicable

NA

NA

None