1. MA Education Curriculum Studies Unit tutor: Paul Denley p. denley@bath
MA Education Curriculum Studies Unit tutor: Paul Denley

2. Aims
to examine the concept of ‘curriculum’ and different approaches to defining, teaching, assessing and evaluating it;
to recognise the relationship between the formal and informal aspects of curriculum;
to consider the curriculum from a number of different stakeholders’ perspectives and appreciate the dynamics involved;
to gain some insight into how curriculum development takes place and into approaches to curriculum continuity and progression.

3. Learning Outcomes
present different definitions of ‘curriculum’ and understand how the academic, pastoral and hidden dimensions of curriculum inter-relate;
explain how the curriculum can be seen from the perspectives of different stakeholders and within different cultural and socio-political settings;
examine different models for the curriculum from national approaches to the role of non-governmental organisations;
show an understanding of the role of the teacher in curriculum development and implementation;
analyse the impact of the curriculum on teaching and learning and ways in which the curriculum can meet the needs of individual learners;
describe current issues in curriculum development and research.

4. Programme
Session 1 What do we mean by ‘curriculum’? Session 2 Knowledge and the Curriculum Session 3 Culture and the Curriculum Session 4 Contrasting approaches to the curriculum Session 5 Approaches to developing and evaluating the curriculum Session 6 Teachers and the curriculum Session 7 Current issues in curriculum studies Session 8 Assignment presentations/Reflections

5. Key readers
Kelly, A. V. (2004: 5th edition) The Curriculum: Theory and Practice, Paul Chapman
Marsh, C. (2008) Key Concepts for Understanding Curriculum, RoutledgeFalmer
Moore, A. (2015) Understanding the School Curriculum: Theory, Politics and Principles, Routledge
Ross, A. (2000) Curriculum: Construction and Critique, Falmer
Scott, D. (2008) Critical Essays on Major Curriculum Theorists, Routledge

6. Journals Journal of Curriculum Studies The Curriculum Journal
Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy
Language, Culture and Curriculum
Journal of Research in International Education

7. Moodle VLE
MA Curriculum Studies unit
MA Education Hub