Description

This interactive, workshop-based module begins from the perspective that transformations in society, culture, economy, politics, employment and knowledge require us to fundamentally rethink how we perceive and organise education. Building on existing interdisciplinary literature, the module challenges existing modes of delivery and content and explores alternative educational approaches. Through a range of activities and discussions, together we reflect critically on our own educational experiences. We will design and justify new ways of doing education that provide a better fit with our diverse and changing ways of living.

The module examines and critically engages with notions and models of education through a variety of embodied, theoretical and applied explorations. A rich and pluralistic appreciation of ‘education’ will be relevant to all Warwick graduates in their personal and professional lives.

The module aims to encourage you to:

• Understand a range of radical critiques and alternative theorisations of education
• Examine real alternatives to traditional state models of education
• Think about how recent sociocultural, economic and political changes impact on the educational structures and practices
• Consider and develop alternative approaches to education, making use of existing theories and research
• Reflect on your own experiences as a learner in a variety of different contexts and settings
• Think about what education could and should be

Structure

The module consists of 10 two hour workshops. Sessions will be discursive, interactive and exploratory – drawing from students' prior experiences in various educational settings, as well as from engagement with core readings. We will be seeking to enact the ideas with which we engage in the classroom. Activities will stimulate conversation. Assessment activities promote further discussion and encourage you to work together to reimagine educational structures and practices.

Indicative weekly topics (subject to change):

1. The end of education
2. Space and food - learning in community
3. Critical pedagogy
4. Neglected voices
5. Hope (with Rachel Turner King)
6. Contemplation week [no session]
7. Contemplative pedagogy
8. Utopias and dystopias
9. Design your own curriculum
10. Beginning here