Useful links
Unit of study_
EDUF2007: Social Perspectives on Education
2025 unit information
This unit is part of the Education I-IV program which provides students with a foundation in the social scientific study of education. The aim of this unit is to critically examine the social, political and economic contexts of education. Key issues concerning difference and inequality in education are explored through sociological and historical approaches. These include social class, gender and cultural diversity in education, as well as the schooling market, school systems, and globalisation. At the end of this unit of study, students should have the capacity to discuss the impact of a range of educational practices and policies on schools, students and families. Similarly, students will be familiar with broad movements in contemporary educational reform and their association with national and global economic change. As a result of working on a substantial project students will develop a range of analytical skills. Through policy analysis tasks and workshop activities, students will be familiar with NSW Department of Education and Communities policies and procedures relating to gender, Indigenous education, and cultural diversity.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Education |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
(EDUF1018 and EDUF1019) or 30 credit points at 1000 level |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. assess the impact of a range of educational practices, policies and institutions on families and children/students from different cultural, socio-economic, and linguistic backgrounds
- LO2. critically analyse contemporary education reform and outline how it is connected to national and global socio-economic change
- LO3. apply relevant sociological concepts and theories to explain inquities in education
- LO4. trace examples of historical contributions to current education provision in Australia
- LO5. discuss the role of teachers in 'making a difference' or closing the gap between the demands of the curriculum and resources available in schools and early childhood education (ECE) settings
- LO6. recognise the range of policies and policy documents that teachers in NSW may need to comply with, following employment in a school or EC Centre, including: ACECQA policies on inclusion, National Quality Standard (i.e., Element 1.15), Boys' and Girls Education Strategy, Homophobia in Schools, Aboriginal Education and Training Policy, Multicultural Education Policy, the Anti-Racism Policy.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
