EDUC 308 : The Return of the Teacher

Education and Social Work

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines the development of teaching and of the role of 'teacher' over time. Draws on examples of teachers from different time periods and cultures to analyse what teaching means and how and why it is valued. Explores implications of different perceptions of the role of teaching and teachers.

Course Overview

Has the teacher had their moment? Is it time to rethink teaching in terms of coaching or facilitation? Are these dangerous times to be a teacher? From the down-trodden governess in literature to teacher-heroes in films, from cynical portrayals in popular culture to scathing representations in news media: 'the teacher' is a cultural and historical construct where meanings about the good (and bad) teacher change over time. This course draws from sociological and philosophical perspectives to think about teachers and teaching in searching ways and to challenge contemporary discourses about teachers.

We will consider 'the teacher' in relation to:
historical contexts and enduring ideas about teaching
literature and film
teaching as dangerous and the teacher as dangerous
pre-service teacher education
researching the lives of teachers

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Any 45 points passed at Stage II

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Have gained an understanding of the development of the teaching profession and perceptions of the teacher’s role in different contexts. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 8)
  2. Have gained some content knowledge of the debates about the nature of teachers’ work in New Zealand. (Capability 3 and 8)
  3. Studied in depth some readings in each of the areas of the course. (Capability 3 and 4)
  4. Have developed skills to enable a critical analysis of the teacher’s role in implementing education policy. (Capability 3, 4 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
In-class discussion and response 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 30% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
In-class discussion and response
Essay
Final Exam

To pass this course you need to submit all assessments and achieve at least 50% for the course overall

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course. On average, students are expected to spend 10 hours per week in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

A typical semester including the study and exam period totals approximately 15 weeks. This means that for this course you should expect to commit to 18 hours to direct contact via on-campus lectures  and tutorials and 18 hours to direct contact online.

You can also reasonably expect to commit approximately 100-120 hours to independent learning. This may include reading (and more reading), note-taking, face-to-face and/or online discussion, writing, engaging in collaborative group work, problem solving, undertaking practical tasks, reflecting on learning, accessing learning and study resources, and assignment, test and exam preparation and completion.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus may be required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The second assignment (the essay) will allow students to research a topic connected to teachers and teaching of their choice. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

The course lecturer is committed to supporting students with learning needs.  

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 15/11/2023 11:19 a.m.