The MA Education (International Perspectives) is aimed at students with a strong interest or experience in international education. This pathway will provide opportunities for education practitioners from different countries to come together and learn from each other, linking international perspectives on educational theory, research, policy and practices. Those who are active in the field of education will be expected to consider how an international perspective can be incorporated within their own practice.
This course is designed for those with either personal or professional interest in international education. It aims to meet the career development needs of education professionals in the UK and overseas. It will enable you to investigate issues that affect your school or your educational institution, and to make a real difference to your own professional practice. A comparative analysis of national and regional education systems and initiatives will enable you to critically analyse your own context while relating it to others.
Tutors will guide you in exploring a range of core issues affecting education around the world today such as globalization, community cohesion, sustainability and global citizenship. Case studies of policy and practice from diverse contexts will be drawn upon to illuminate different philosophical and pedagogical approaches in international education. You will be encouraged to critically reflect upon their own assumptions and consider research methods for evaluating education initiatives.
The full Masters award requires you to gain 180 credits, including an 18,000-20,000 research dissertation in a specialised area of your choice. Prior to a dissertation, students will complete four 30 credit modules.
Critical analysis in education * (30 credits)
In this module you will critically analyse contextual factors that influence the educational setting in which you are based. Particular attention will be paid to underpinning philosophical perspectives and the historical, social, cultural, political and economic dimensions of pedagogy. You will be introduced to different perspectives on the role of education and approaches to teaching and learning to them complete a situational analysis that draws on a range of research tools and techniques. You will critically reflect upon underlying philosophical assumptions and draw on the key concepts of comparative education to compare different contexts.
Education and change in a globalised world (30 credits)
This module will analyse the global context of key challenges facing education at the start of the 21st century. You will be introduced to techniques to critique relevant policy and practice. You will consider research methods for evaluating educational initiatives. Through a detailed case study you will explore the historical, social, and economic factors that impact on an area of policy or practice of interest.
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Ideas of childhood: social, cultural and political perspectives (30 credits)
Why are children labelled? What cultural, social and political values shape our ideas about children and young people? These are some of the questions we will address in this interdisciplinary module which will explore how current concepts of childhood and youth have been, and continue to be shaped by social, historical, cultural, and political dimensions. Using examples from international research, it will encourage students to challenge their own ideas about childhood, whilst engaging with theoretical and cross-cultural debates.
Students complete a third specialist module from the wider MA Education modules on offer and the core research methods module.
The MA Education (International Perspectives) modules do not require access to educational contexts to ensure completion although this is sometimes preferable. Recent experience of an educational setting will usually be sufficient. Students will have the opportunity to apply to participate as a member of a Global Hope project team working on international development projects in Malawi, Kenya, Sri Lanka, India and Brazil. These normally take place for 2 weeks during the summer term / vacation. If fieldwork goes beyond the students workplace and involves access to children a new CRB clearance will have to be completed.
Applicants require a good honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent
Please note that a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau is required for students where they are required to visit settings other than their own workplace and involves access to children.
In addition, overseas students will normally be required to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent qualification that meets the UK Border Agency requirements.
The course team involved in the delivery of this pathway has a wealth of experience in global and international education research and practice. Tutors have first had experience in a wider range of settings including Nepal, India, Papua New Guinea, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, United States of America as well as in the UK and a number of European countries. Recent publications by the Faculty include ‘Global Issues and Comparative Education’ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Global-Comparative-Education-Perspectives-Studies/dp/1844452085) edited by the Faculty of Education Vice-Dean Dr Wendy Bignold.
The Faculty of Education has a joint research institute withSt Xavier’s College Mumbai(http://www.main.xaviers.edu.in/) and a Centre for International and Development Education.
A Masters in Education will allow you to enhance your personal interests, career specific opportunities and show potential for promotion to senior leadership. For practicing teachers it can be a good way to enhance your opportunities to move beyond threshold, or simply become an ‘outstanding’ practitioner.
Students completing the MA will also be well placed to go on to a doctorate (EdD or PhD) at Liverpool Hope.
