Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This is the third of three complementary units in Social Education curriculum. These units have been designed to help prepare you for a professional role as a teacher of social sciences in the secondary school. This unit extends the focus of the preceding units and explores how new educational contexts impact upon policy and curriculum developments within this broad area in the senior school. You will explore the theoretical context for such policy developments and reflect upon the nature of innovation and change in curriculum development in the senior years of schooling. You are also encouraged to consider how effective teaching and learning can be achieved through inquiry-based approaches and the ways in which this is significant for your ongoing professional development.

Aims

In this unit you encounter key policy and curriculum documents and analyse how they impact on teaching and learning in social sciences and specific discipline studies in the senior school. Throughout the unit, you are encouraged to develop a personal sense of purpose for teaching in the broad area of Social Education and in your selected discipline area.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Critically reflect on the nature of Social Education and the contribution that inquiry-based learning can make to the education of students in the senior years of schooling [QCT Standards 1, 2 & 3]

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophies underpinning recent policy and curriculum initiatives and their influence on the learning/teaching environment [QCT Standards 1, 3 & 6]

3. Refine your understandings of contemporary principles of teaching, learning and assessment in social education, including statuary procedures and requirements for assessment, as they apply in specific subjects in the senior school. [QCT Standards 1, 3 & 5]

4. Interpret relevant policy and curriculum documents and demonstrate their ramifications for practice in the form of a research paper and curriculum application activity. [QCT Standards 1, 4 & 10]

5. Demonstrate acceptable standards of communication and professional responsibility. [QCT Standards 2 & 9]

Content

This unit will provide you with knowledge and understanding about the ways in which a range of significant policy and curriculum initiatives, including QSA procedures and requirements, are important for teaching, learning and assessing in Social Education and in specific subjects in the senior years of schooling.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

As an internal student, you will experience a range of teaching strategies such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, group work, discussions and self-directed learning, supported by the Blackboard site. As an external student/online student, you will have access to the Unit Information and Study Guide on the Blackboard site and Readings. Specific tasks and activities in the study guide and online discussions replace the challenges set for internal students.

Assessment

Assessment in the unit is both formative and summative and will be viewed in terms of the principle of 'assessment as learning'. Formative assessment is provided through verbal and online feedback, and through written comments on assignment work. This unit is assessed through two written assignments.

Assessment name: Essay
Description: An essay comprising a rationale that demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the significance of a recent policy and/or curriculum initiative.
Length: 1500 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: You will select from various options a task in which you demonstrate your understanding of the ways in which a specific policy and/or curriculum initiative can be applied to classroom practice via a curriculum unit.
Length: 3500 words
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4 & 5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End-Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts
CLP418 Book of Readings available from the Bookshop on Kelvin Grove Campus

References
Including key curriculum and policy documents

Gilbert, R. ed. (2004) Studying Society and Environment. A Guide for Teachers. 3^rd edn. Thomson: Social Science Press, Southbank.

Marsh, C. (Ed.). (2008). Studies of Society and Environment: Exploring the Teaching Possibilities (5^th ed.). Sydney: Pearson

Selected Queensland Studies Authority Senior Syllabuses

Risk assessment statement

No risks beyond the ordinary need to be considered.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 29-Oct-2012