University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this programme specification. At the time of publication, the programme specification has been approved by the relevant teaching Faculty or Department. It is, however, natural for courses to develop and change over time and we reserve the right, without notice, to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time. EDUCATION STUDIES TRIPOS 1 Awarding Body University of Cambridge 2. Teaching Institution University of Cambridge 3. Accreditation Details n/a 4. Name of Final Award Bachelor of Arts 5. Programme Title Education Studies Tripos 6. UCAS Code See Table Below 7. Benchmark Statement(s) Education Studies 8. Qualifications Framework Level H 9a. Date of Revision November 2005 9b. Last Reviewed March 2008 Route 1 C1XE Q8X3 W4X3 Q3X3 L7X3 V1X3 G1X3 T9X3 W3X3 V6X3 F0X3 Route 2 XC11 XW14 XQ13 XL17 XV11 XG11 XW13 XV16 Biological Sciences with Education Classics with Education English and Drama with Education English with Education Geography with Education History with Education Mathematics with Education Modern Foreign Languages with Education (French, German or Spanish) Music with Education Religious Studies with Education Physical Sciences (chemistry or physics) with Education Education with Biological Sciences Education with English and Drama Education with English Education with Geography Education with History Education with Mathematics Education with Music Education with Religious Studies Educational Aims of the Programme The programme allows students to engage in debate and ask questions about one of the most provocative of social activities: education, by focusing on issues around the function, style and future of education. The degree gives students the opportunity to explore these issues in depth. Page 1 of 8
The programme allows students to combine the academic study of education with another subject; students follow specialized courses in the Faculty of Education while also attending courses in another faculty. The aims of the course are: to develop a high level of understanding of educational issues and the development of the education system in England and Wales; to enable students to study in depth the foundation disciplines of education and to appreciate their contribution to our understanding of the process and practice of education across a wide range of areas; the provide the opportunity to study in depth a chosen specialist subject and to develop enjoyment and rigour in academic enquiry in this field; to equip students to participate in and learn the skills of research and enquiry within specialised fields of education; to prepare students wishing to enter teaching with a high quality introduction to education as a basis for proceeding to the Postgraduate Certificate in Education; to attract outstanding students from all backgrounds. Programme Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding 1. The nature of the discipline as an education discipline 2. Children and childhood 3. Learning Route 1 students focus on: 4. Historical enquiry and its insights for education 5. Philosophical presuppositions of education 6. Psychological approaches to understanding cognition and emotion 7. Formative influences on Sociological thought and enquiry Route 2 students focus on: 8. History of schooling 9. Philosophical questions in teaching 10. Psychological aspects of assessing learning in education 11. Sociology Skills and other attributes Intellectual skills The course is designed to allow students to engage in debate and ask fundamental questions about the purposes and role of education in society. Students are expected to form an understanding of contemporary issues in society. The course provides a basis for further academic study at postgraduate level. Students develop the ability to apply methods of philosophical analysis to education issues. They develop understanding of psychological development and an understanding of sociological perspectives on education and modern society. They look at critical innovations in the classroom over the past century. Page 2 of 8
Learning and thinking skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme. Individual feedback is given to students on all work produced. Development of ideas through reading and discussion. Research and analysis skills Practical skills Students who are on Route 2 spend time in the classroom, observing professionals in the field. Skills in research and analysis. Essay writing. Presentation skills classroom techniques, practical teaching skills. Dissertation writing. Design of lessons, projects Other transferable skills Effective communication. Management of resources and time. This course is excellent preparation for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course, for those who want to have a career in teaching. Students learn skills that equip them for many other career opportunities, if they choose not to go into teaching. Such careers may include those in administration, in national and local government, arts and museum education, educational journalism, educational activities within the community and educational careers within the media. This degree may also lead to careers in Human Resources and management. Teaching and Learning Methods Acquisition of knowledge and skills is through a combination of different learning and teaching styles, including formal lectures attended by quite large numbers of students, small group seminars and workshops, practical work in laboratories or drama studios and fieldwork in subjects such as geography and biological sciences. All Cambridge students benefit from small group supervisions, which involve closely focused participatory discussion between students and lecturers. Assessment Methods The individual courses employ a variety of assessment techniques, including unseen written examinations, assessed coursework, marked essays, oral examinations and research reports and presentations. Examiners are appointed for each course. In the first and second years of the Tripos one set of Examiners is appointed, and a second set is appointed for Part II of the Tripos. Some parts of the degree are assessed by submitted work in the form of essays or dissertations, others by practical work (drama productions, musical performances and composition, laboratory or fieldwork notebooks) and others by written examination papers. The exact balance between these different forms of assessment will depend on the subjects being studied and the papers chosen. Normally students would expect to find that at least 50% of their assessment is by written examination papers. Page 3 of 8
Route 1 assessment in Education Studies: Students take one paper in the preliminary examination, the equivalent of two or three papers, via submitted work, in Part I and the two compulsory papers in Part II, with the opportunity to do a further two papers. In specialist subject studies students take three papers in the Preliminary examination, three or four papers in Part I and can choose to take a further two papers in Part II. Route 2 assessment in Education Studies: Students take one paper in the preliminary examination, two papers in Part I and three compulsory papers in Part II. In specialist subject studies student stake three papers in the preliminary examination and four papers in Part I; in addition students may choose to take a further papers, examined by dissertation, in Part II. In curriculum and professional studies, students have the opportunity to take an advanced paper in Part II. Overview of the Assessment for the Degree Preliminary Examination to Part I: Education Studies Foundation Course - assessed by a two hour written examination paper in which students are required to answer four questions, one from each of the education disciplines. Subject Studies - assessed mainly by written examination papers. Part I and the Preliminary Examination for Part II: Education Studies - assessed by submitted work, four essays one in each of the education disciplines. Subject Studies Teaching and Learning - assessed by submitted work [Route 2 only]. Subject Studies - assessed mainly by written examination papers, but may include submitted work in some subjects e.g. dissertation, composition, practical notebooks. Part II: Education Studies - assessed by written examination papers. Research and Investigation - assessed by submitted work, 8,000 to 10,000 word dissertation. Curriculum Studies - assessed by a combination of submitted work and written examination papers. Subject Studies - assessed by written examination papers or dissertation. Professional Studies - assessed by written examination papers [Route 2 only]. All students on both routes choose a subject specialisation. The course content and teaching is common to both routes in Part I but differs in Part II. Programme Structure The degree in Education Studies is divided into the following sections:- Preliminary Examination to Part I taken at the end of the first year. This is examined by three papers in the specialist subject and one paper in Education. Part I Examination taken at the end of the second year of the degree. This is examined by four papers in the specialist subject and the equivalent of two papers in Education. Page 4 of 8
Part II Examination taken at the end of the third year of the degree. This is examined by two compulsory papers: - Research and Investigation in Education and An Advanced Topic in Education Studies. Two further papers are chosen from either:- Education Studies (1 or 2 papers) or Subject Studies (1 or 2 papers) or One paper from wither of the above and One paper from Curriculum Studies There are two different routes that can be taken through the Education Studies Tripos. ROUTE 1 Route 1 is designed primarily for those who have an interest in the study of education as an academic discipline and therefore does not include any school experience. The First and Second Years (Preliminary Examination to Part I, and Part I) Students may enter the first year of the degree if they have satisfied the criteria for admission specified for the Tripos. Education Studies Students take a Foundation Course in Education Studies in the Prelim to Part I, followed by four papers in each of the education disciplines (history, philosophy, psychology and sociology) in Part I. Subject Studies Students take the equivalent of four papers in subject studies, many of which are borrowed papers from other Faculties. The subject studies are:- Biological Sciences Code C1X3 Classics English and Drama Code W4X3 This includes the examination of practical work, acting, directing or dramatic writing. English Code Q3X3 Geography Code L7X3 History Code V1X3 Mathematics Code G1X3 Modern Foreign Languages (After Year 2, Students are normally required to spend a year abroad either studying at a University or as an English Language Assistant) Music Code W3X3 Religious Studies Code V6X3 The Third Year (Part II) Part II of the Tripos has a flexible structure that allows students to either take all four papers from education, or to combine education papers with those from subject studies. Two elements of Part II are, however, compulsory for all students. These are:- Page 5 of 8
Research and Investigation in Education A dissertation related to the investigation and analysis of an educational problem. In preparation for the dissertation students follow a course that covers the major approaches and research methods used to investigate educational issues. Advanced topics in Education Studies Students must take one education paper chosen from history, philosophy, psychology or sociology of education. Students then choose two further papers from either advanced topics in Education Studies, Subject Studies or a paper from Curriculum Studies. ROUTE 2 Route 2 provides an integrated programme which combines academic work with school experience. Three periods of school experience are built into this route. Prior to the course, a week is spent in a state school in the student s home area. A similar two week home based experience occurs between Years 1 and 2. In the first term of Part II, Route 2 students spend four weeks in a partnership school. Students will spend the first half of the term in the Faculty learning more about schools and their practices, and teaching the specialist subject in school. There will also be an introduction to research methods. The placement follows these preparations. The assessed coursework for this part of the degree, the Research and Investigation report, is based on information collected during the placement. In order to obtain Qualified Teacher Status students will need to complete a PGCE course. The First and Second Years (Preliminary Examination to Part I, and Part I) Education Studies Students take a Foundation Course in Education Studies in the Prelim to Part I and then a further education course entitled Children, Teachers and Education, covering all four of the education disciplines. Students also take a course on the educational aspects of subject studies. Students normally spend three weeks in school, one before the first term and two weeks between the Prelim to Part and Part I focusing on ideas raised in Education Studies. Subject Studies Students take the equivalent of four papers in Subject Studies, many of which are borrowed from other Faculties. The subject studies are:- Biological Sciences English and Drama English Geography History Mathematics Music Religious Studies Code XC11 Code XW14 Code XQ13 Code XL17 Code XV11 Code XG11 Code XW13 Code XV16 The Third Year (Part II) Part II of the Tripos has a flexible structure that allows students some element of choice. Three elements of Part II are, however, compulsory for all students these are:- Page 6 of 8
Research and Investigation in Education A dissertation informed by the four week School Placement, and developed from an educational issue or issues within subject studies in either Part I or Part II. This placement and the Faculty courses related to it are the sole focus of the Michaelmas Term. Advanced topics in Education Studies Students must take one education paper chosen from history, philosophy, psychology or sociology of education. Professional Studies Teaching and learning issues for the primary and middle years. Students can then choose to do either another paper in education studies, a dissertation in subject studies or a paper from Curriculum Studies. Progression Requirements The Faculty Board publishes the list of all candidates whose first and second professional placements are thought to be satisfactory anyone who is not deemed satisfactory will not normally be allowed to progress to a third placement. Indicators of Quality Admissions requirements: Typical A Level offer AAA/AAB Route 1, ABB/BBB Route 2 QAA - 23 RAE 2001-5 Learning Support Course handbook and website University, Departmental and College Libraries and computing facilities Students are assigned a Director of Studies and a personal tutor by their College Small group tutorials (supervisions) provided by Colleges with the collaboration of the Department Extensive staff contact Evaluating and Improving the Quality and Standards of Learning A rolling programme of student evaluations of the various courses within the degree, usually by questionnaire. Student representation on the Undergraduate Course Committee and Faculty Board: a student/staff liaison committee for informal discussions with students about the course. Meetings of Directors of Study to discuss student progress and issues they have identified as problematic. Carefully scrutiny of External Examiners Reports and implementation of any recommendations they make. Employment and Careers The degree prepares students for a variety of possible careers such as educational research, educational administration in national or local government, journalism, positions in the arts or media, museum education or personnel work. Page 7 of 8
The Faculty offers the opportunity for further student at Masters or PhD or the Postgraduate Certificate in Education. The General Board consider that preparation for any specific branch of employment is not the main objective of most educational courses provided by the University, and takes the view that the requirement to include specific employers' needs and opinions in programme specifications would distort the aims and objectives of many Cambridge courses. Preparation for employment in general is provided in the opportunities for acquisition of relevant transferable skills outlined in programme specifications. The Careers Service maintains links with relevant employers and takes into account employer needs and opinions in the services which is provides for students. Details of its services can be found at http://www.careers.cam.ac.uk. The Careers Service also allocates a Careers Adviser to each College, Faculty and Department to act as a point of contact. Page 8 of 8