授業の目的 【日本語】
Goals of the Course(JPN) | | |
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授業の目的 【英語】
Goals of the Course | | The main objective of this course is to know and discuss from various perspectives the meanings and functions of education, both for society and for individual learners. To that end, students will be exposed to research paradigms, methodologies, and issues of comparative education and relevant academic fields. While another course the instructor teaches, Educational Development Policies, focuses more on practical issues related to educational policy-making and administration, this course will look at educational phenomena in the wider socioeconomic, cultural, and political arenas.
The questions to be raised include: What does it mean to educate people? And how is the role of education defined from different theoretical standpoints? By discussing these fundamental questions, students will consider education as a pillar of human activities, which will be a significant preparation before jumping into operational discussions about the educational system and school management and, further, for working as professionals in the field of international educational development.
Each week, students are assigned to read theoretical materials based on which class discussion will be moderated. In the first few sessions, we will discuss the location of education in social theories, which consider the patterns, dynamics, and mechanisms of society. Then, the following sessions will deal with theories more specifically related to schooling, knowledge, and learning. In the last couple of sessions, the class will discuss the relevance of learned theories in making sense of today’s world and education in it. Particular attention will be paid to the impact of artificial intelligence, educational technology, and knowledge economy which have not been assumed much in classic theories.
There is no knowledge that is value-free, including knowledge taught in official textbooks. Therefore, in this class, students are expected to acquire an attitude that considers the meanings of education from comparative and multiple perspectives.
In the first few sessions, philosophies and theories will be reviewed as the basis of the social analysis of education. Then, the following sessions will deal with issues regarding schooling, knowledge, and learning. There is no knowledge that is value-free, including knowledge taught in official textbooks. Therefore, in this class, students are expected to acquire an attitude that considers the meanings of education from comparative and multiple perspectives.
In the first few sessions, methodologies and theories will be reviewed as the basis of social analysis of education. Then, the following sessions will deal with issues regarding schooling, knowledge, and learning. There is no knowledge which is value-free; knowledge taught in official textbooks, included. Therefore, in this class, students are expected to acquire an attitude that considers the meanings of education from comparative and multiple perspectives. |
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到達目標 【日本語】
Objectives of the Course(JPN) | | |
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到達目標 【英語】
Objectives of the Course | | | Students acquire abilities to think about educational issues from multiple angles and know research paradigms, methodologies, and issues of comparative education and relevant academic fields. |
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授業の内容や構成
Course Content / Plan | | For all sessions, students are required to read the assigned readings and submit the comment paper before attending.
Session 1 Introduction
Structure of the course
Discussion: What is the role of international educational research in today’s world?
Session 2 Comparative Education as an academic field
Domains and orientations of comparative education
Session 3 Social Theories and Education
From modernization to basic human needs and self-help
Education as a reproduction mechanism (e.g. Diploma disease, hidden curriculum)
Socialization
Session 4 Social theories (1)
Reproduction and World-system theories
Session 5 Social Theories (2)
Functionalism and criticism against functionalism
Session 6 Educational Theories (1) Functionalist perspective
Human Capital Theory and criticism against it
Session 7 Critical realism and contemporary criticism of social theories of education
Global standardization and diversifying realities
Limitation of grand theories of education, then what’s next?
Session 8 Educational Theories (2) Critics of functionalism
Critical Pedagogy and the theory of de-schooling
Session 9 Educational Theories (3) Learner-centered education (1)
Experientialism and existentialism
Session 10 Educational Theories (4) Learner-centered education and biology
Developmental psychology
Neuroscience and education
Session 11 Decolonizing the academic imagination in educational studies
Challenges of de-westernizing educational thought
Asian philosophies
African philosophies
Session 12 Cognition and epistemology
Subjectivity and justifications of knowledge
How do we know what we know?
Session 13 Contemporary meaning of education and learning
Changing mode of learning and its implications to education
Lifelong learning as upskilling
Artificial intelligence
COVID as the change agent
Literacies in what?
Socio-emotional and noncognitive skills
Session 14 Education and society
Session 15 Presentation of term papers |
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履修条件・関連する科目
Course Prerequisites and Related Courses | | | There is no precondition to take this course |
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成績評価の方法と基準
Course Evaluation Method and Criteria | | Preparation for class discussion 30%
Preparation includes (1) reading the assigned articles/book chapters; (2) submitting comment papers in response to the questions given by the instructor
Class participation 30%
In the class, the instructor will lead the discussion based on the opinions raised in students’ comment papers.
Individual paper 40%
Students are assigned to write a paper on educational issues in relation to one or some of the theories learned in the class. Details will be explained later. The submission deadline of the paper is July 31, 2025.
Credit is given to C- or C (where applicable) or higher grade for each criterion. |
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教科書・参考書
Textbook/Reference Book | | There will be no textbook but students will be provided with the reading materials a week before the respective sessions.
References for further study will be provided either in the class or at the time of providing the reading materials. |
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課外学習等（授業時間外学習の指示）
Study Load(Self-directed Learning Outside Course Hours) | | | Read the assigned materials and submit the comment papers in response to the questions provided by the instructor. |
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注意事項
Notice for Students | | |
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使用言語
Language(s) for Instruction & Discussion | | |
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授業開講形態等
Lecture format, etc. | | 対面で実施します。
Classes will be held in-person. |
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遠隔授業（オンデマンド型）で行う場合の追加措置
Additional measures for remote class (on-demand class) | | |
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