Foundations: Policy and Social Change (EDUC91321)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Jason Beech: jason.beech@unimelb.edu.au and Jessica Gerrard: jessica.gerrard@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Jason Beech: jason.beech@unimelb.edu.au and Jessica Gerrard: jessica.gerrard@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
At a time of growing global inequities and environmental crises, this subject inquires into the role of education and education policy in a range of sectors in contributing to needed social change. The subject will introduce students to key debates on the purposes of education, the roles of policy, and the politics of education. It will also give students the opportunity to understand how policy agendas are decided upon, who counts as policy leaders and policy actors, including non-state actors. Students will critically examine and consider possible actions for education policies to address equity and sustainability, including on issues of gender and sexuality, racialisation, Indigenous knowledges, and sustainability and climate change.
For Master of Education students, this subject provides preparation for the Equity and Social Change, and Education Policy and Governance specialisations.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Critically reflect on the role of policy in enacting educational and social change for equity, justice and sustainability
- Analyse global and local policy trends that shape educational practices across a range of settings
- Explore varied approaches to promote social change through education policies and practices for a more equitable and sustainable future
- Design theoretical and research-informed approaches to education policy that address equity and/or sustainability
- Develop a professional vision that connects education policy to social change in educational contexts.
Generic skills
This subject will assist students to develop the following transferable skills:
- Active and participatory citizenship
- Critical reasoning and thinking
- Evidence based decision making
- Self-reflection, career awareness and lifelong learning.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Option 1 - 150pt Program
Admission into the 150pt Program course entry point in the MC-ED Master of Education
OR
Option 2 - 200pt Program
Admission into one of the following: MC-MLED Master of Modern Languages Education, 200pt Program course entry point in the MC-ED Master of Education, 200pt Program course entry point in the MC-TESOL Master of TESOL
AND
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC90929 | Education Policy in Context |
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90930 | Literacies in Local and Global Contexts |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC91316 | Engaging with Research in Education |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC91030 | Research in Educational Relationships | No longer available | |
| EDUC90900 | Resilience and Relationships |
Term 3 (Online)
Term 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC91029 | Understanding the Student as Learner |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 1 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90830 | The Student as Learner |
Term 1 (Online)
Term 3 (Online)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Reading Analysis: Written reflection on research literature
| Mid teaching period | 40% |
Written Task: Written essay addressing education policy and social change
| During the assessment period | 60% |
Attendance Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance at, or engagement with, all sessions identified as contact hours (may include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and activities, both synchronous and asynchronous). | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Jessica Gerrard and Jason Beech Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours comprising 8 x 2 hour on campus seminars and 8 hours asynchronous activities Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Jason Beech: jason.beech@unimelb.edu.au and Jessica Gerrard: jessica.gerrard@unimelb.edu.au
- Semester 2
Coordinators Jason Beech and Jessica Gerrard Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours comprising 8 x 2 hour on campus seminars and 8 hours asynchronous activities Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Jason Beech: jason.beech@unimelb.edu.au and Jessica Gerrard: jessica.gerrard@unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of TESOL Course Master of Education Course Master of Modern Languages Education - Links to additional information
Faculty of Education: https://education.unimelb.edu.au/
Last updated: 4 March 2025