6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 3 with catalog number 4019923ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
In this course we (1) investigate curriculum foundations, theories, and models, along with their modern iterations; (2) analyse influences of society, (knowledge) sociology, and the philosophy of education on curriculum construction; (3) compare traditional and progressive approaches in curriculum design; (4) obtain an understanding of the functions of curricula, (5) gain insights in implementing curricula; (6) acquire basic skills in using models and techniques in curriculum development; (7) analyze recent examples of curriculum research from a comparative perspective; (8) explore curriculum frameworks from OECD, UNESCO, and the European Union.
Course material
Digital course material (required on Canvas), including a “Briefing Book” developed by the professors teaching this course.
Additional info
- Syllabus and reader are available on e-learning platform
- Students prepare discussions and tasks with materials provided (reader, articles, cases, reflection-exercises, and preparations for debates and formal presentations)
- Experts (guest speakers) may be invited in accordance with the students' preferences
- Practice: a required authentic curriculum design or curriculum evaluation assignment either (1) for a school, an in-service education agency, training service in a private company, a department of a university or college, ... or (2) a formal research paper consistent with thesis guidelines addressing a pressing challenge facing a community, region, or country
Complementary study material:
Cases and examples of curricula.
At the end of this course students are able to:
• explain and illustrate the influence of sociological and philosophical factors and of paradigms in education on design and contents of curricula;
• recognize traditional and progressive approaches and designs of curriculum;
• identify functions of curricula;
• recognize models and design techniques in existing curricula and apply those models and techniques in a small scale curriculum development task;
• analyse and evaluate curricula in terms of consistency, transparency, conceptual approach;
• analyze examples of recent research approaches in curriculum studies (macro & meso level) from a methodological perspective
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 20% of the final mark.
PRAC Teamwork determines 40% of the final mark.
SELF Paper determines 40% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Teamwork category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the SELF Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
• Oral Exam determines 20% of the final mark.
• PRAC Teamwork determines 40% of the final mark.
• Paper determines 40% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
• Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 20% of the final mark.
• Note: Oral examination: questions on theory related to the presented task (e.g. explain how sociological factors, philosophy of education, ... have influenced the curriculum product you've developed)
Within the PRAC Teamwork category, the following assignments need to be completed:
• Permanent evaluation of group project with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 40% of the final mark.
• Note: Permanent evaluation (tasks, preparations, co-operation skills and attitudes)
Within the SELF Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
• Curriculum development research paper with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 40% of the final mark.
• Note: Curriculum development task (report + presentation in peer group)
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Educational Sciences: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Adult Education: Profile Education Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Educational Sciences: Standaard traject
Master of Teaching in Behavioural Sciences: agogische wetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)