Required prerequisite knowledge

Completed P101-104, or completed one year’s study in Intercultural Studies, or equivalent educational qualifications approved by NLA University College.

Relevance within study programme

Elective course in Bachelor of Education.

Elective course in Bachelor in Intercultural Competence. 

Introduction

The aim of the course is to introduce students to theory and practice in the field of comparative and global education, with a particular focus on the role of education in promoting democracy, social justice, and peace.

The course is practice-oriented and value-based, and emphasizes the philosophical and ethical question embedded in education policy and planning in contexts of extreme poverty, injustice, and conflict.

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of key theories, concepts, and central themes in comparative global education;
• has knowledge of conventions and other international documents which outline education as a human right;
• has broad knowledge of key barriers to learning in developing countries, including (but not limited to) gender, ethnicity, mother tongue, and refugee status;
• has knowledge of the connection between education and democracy, social justice, and peace.

Skills

The student

• can apply theories of comparative education to the study of pedagogy and education in selected contexts;
• can elaborate on the consequences of conceptualizing education as a human right;
• can assess the impact of social inequalities on access to education;
• can refer to research-based literature, both in oral and written work;
• can use relevant subject terminology, both in oral and written work.

General competence

The student

• has insight into relevant academic issues related to learning and education in different societies;
• can reflect on the connections between access to learning and opportunities for democracy, social justice, and peacebuilding;
• can convey core issues and challenges within the field of comparative and global education, both in written and oral format;
• can critically reflect on and discuss issues in comparative and global education, both in oral and written work.

Content

This course offers a comparative exploration of education and learning in different contexts around the world, with a particular focus on the role of education in building and strengthening democracy, ensuring equal access to decision-making power in society, and enabling people to improve their living conditions.

Central themes in this course are:

• Theories and models of comparative education;
• Global governance of education;
• Education as a Human Right;
• Barriers to equitable quality Education for All (EFA);
• Refugee education;
• Gender and education;
• Education for development, democracy, and social justice.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and discussion-based seminars.

Scope

450 hours

Coursework requirements

The following coursework must be completed and approved by stated deadlines to enable the student to sit the course examination:

• Compulsory attendance: 50% attendance
• Oral group presentation and discussion on a chosen topic

If a student receives ‘Not Approved’ on the oral group presentation, they will be given one opportunity to complete an alternative assignment.

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved / Not Approved

Final assessment

6-hour written school examination.

Grading, examination

ECTS grading scale from A to F, in which E or better is necessary in order to pass

Permitted aids under examination

None

Assessment language

English

Norwegian

Credit reductions

10 ECTS credits for IKF217 Education in a global comparative perspective

Course evaluation

The course is evaluated according to the quality system for NLA University College.

Available as Single Course

Ja

Reading list and academic resources

Book

Introduction to comparative and international education
Marshall, Jennifer, Thousand Oaks; © 2024, SAGE Publications, 257 sider, [2024], isbn:9781529611236; 9781529611243,

Book

Introduction to Comparative and International Education
Jennifer Marshall, Sage Publications Ltd, 272, 2024, isbn:9781529611236,

Book Chapter

The World Bank and Educational Assistance
D Brent Edwards; Inga Storen, The World Bank and Educational Assistance, 2017, 1-45,

Article

Comparative Education Global governance, educational change
Karen Mundy, Comparative Education, 3, 43, 2007, 339-357,

Book Chapter

Stateless, futureless, purposeless? A critical reflection on educating the next generation of refugees
Inga Støren, Stateless, futureless, purposeless? A critical reflection on educating the next generation of refugees, Springer, 1-17,

Article

Levels of Comparison in Educational Studies
Bray, M. & Thomas. R. M., Harvard Educational Review, 3, 65, 1995, 472-490,

Article

Exploding the Cube: Revisioning " Context " in the Field of Comparative Education
Noah W. Sobe Jamie A. Kowalczyk, Current Issues in Comparative Education, 1, 16, 2013, 6-12,

Website

Understanding education as a right
Right to Education, Right to Education,
View online

Article

Second Language and Mother Tongue Education for Immigrant Children in Nordic Educational Policies: Search for a Common Nordic Dimension
Emilsson Peskova, R., Lindholm, A., Ahlholm, M., Vold, E. T., Gunnþórsdóttir, H., Slotte, A. & Busch, S. E. Renata Emilsson Peskova Anna Lindholm Maria Ahlholm Eva Thue Vold Hermína Gunnþórsdóttir Anna Slotte Sofia Esmann Busch, Nordic Studies in Education, 2, 43, 2023, 128-144,

Electronic Article

Why Mother Tongue Education holds the key to unlocking every child's potential
Gowri Sundararajan, UNICEF, 2024,
View online

Book Chapter

Perspectives on the Climate Crisis, Sin, and Theological Education
Gunnar Innerdal, Perspectives on the Climate Crisis, Sin, and Theological Education, Pickwick Publications, 44-60, isbn:9781666762570,

Book Chapter

Chapter 2: The World's Best Investment: Girls' Education
Sperling, G. B. & Winthrop, R., Chapter 2: The World's Best Investment: Girls' Education, Brookings Institution Press., 2015, 17-61,

Article

Climate Strikes and Curricula: Insights from Norway
Tom Sverre Tomren, Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability, 1, 24, 2022-06-01; 2007, 105-115,

Article

Students and brides: a qualitative analysis of the relationship between girls' education and early marriage in Ethiopia and India
Anita Raj, Marissa Salazar, Emma C. Jackson, Natalie Wyss, Katherine A. McClendon, Aarushi Khanna, Yemeserach Belayneh and Lotus McDougal, BMC Public Health, 19, 19, 2019, 1-20,

Article

Refugee Education: The Crossroads of Globalization
Sarah Dryden-Peterson, Educational Researcher, 9, 45, 2016, 473-482,

Book

The Two Faces of Education in Ethnic Conflict: Towards a Peacebuilding Education for Children
Kenneth D. Bush, Diana Saltarelli, Florence, Italy, Unicef Innocenti Research Centre, 9-34, 2000,

Article

Peace education theory
M. Harris, Journal of Peace Education, 1, 1, 2004, 5-20,

Article

Nordic Journal of Studies in Educational Policy Promoting inclusion and equity in education: lessons from international experiences
Mel Ainscow, Educational Policy, 1, 6, 2020-01-02; 2008, 7-16,

Article

Nordic Journal of Studies in Educational Policy 'It is impossible to avoid policy' comment on Mel Ainscow: promoting inclusion and equity in education: lessons from international experiences
Peder Haug, Nordic Journal of Studies in Educational Policy, 6, 2020-01-02; 2008, 17-20,

Document

Peace education in the 21st century An essential strategy for building lasting peace
UNESCO, 2024, 1-24,