Teaching code

4S007378

Teacher

Marcella Milana

Coordinator

Marcella Milana

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PED/01 - PEDAGOGY, THEORIES OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL EDUCATION

Period

Sem. 1A, Sem. 1B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims to provide the conceptual and methodological basis needed to analyse contextual characteristics, and training and development activities, in a comparative perspective, and to evaluate the relevance, adaptability or transferability of principles, methods and modes of intervention between contexts (local, national and international). By the end of the course students will be able to: - understand the principles of comparison and their application to the analysis of contexts, and of training and development interventions; - apply knowledge and understanding derived from comparative analysis to the development of training interventions (at local, national and international levels).  

Prerequisites and basic notions

No prior knowledge is required.

Program

The course offers an introduction to Comparative Education as a disciplinary area dedicated to reflection (theoretical and methodological) and empirical research (qualitative, quantitative, multi-method) of what concerns education and training in two or more "situations" (e.g. historical periods, countries, cultures, institutions, etc.) as well as globally.
Consistently with the learning objectives, the course traces the developments of Comparative Education to pay attention to the multiple fields of application of the comparative method in order to examine the development, functioning or adequacy of educational and training policies, processes and interventions, for exploratory, cognitive or improvement purposes.
Particular attention will therefore be placed on: 1) what is meant by "comparison"; 2) how to formulate a research question that stimulates a comparative process aimed at producing new knowledge on a phenomenon under study; and 3) the methodological implications for answering the research question, also through secondary data (numerical and non-numerical) analysis.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course is delivered in person, without streaming or video recording.
Attendance is strongly recommended.
In addition to lectures, students will actively participate in exercises and discussions in the classroom, or in preparation for subsequent lessons. This preparation may include the identification of reference material through research focused on specialized journals (in Italian or foreign language). Furthermore, attending students will be required, within the first 2 weeks from the start of the course, to form working pairs in order to carry out a short comparative study which they will report on during the exam.
Consistent with these expectations, useful information will be provided during the course for the production of a comparative paper.
All students are required to register on the teaching e-learning platform.

Learning assessment procedures

The assessment of learning outcomes includes:
- Production of a comparative paper
- Oral presentation
COMPARATIVE PAPER
The paper must account for the results of a short comparative study that the non-attending students will carry out independently, and the attending students will carry out in pairs. The type and structure of the paper will be illustrated in detail during the course.
The paper has the purpose of initiating students to the comparative study of a research topic that could possibly be expanded into a degree thesis or a presentation at a conference or conference.
For the production of the paper, students are expected to integrate the study of the reference texts and additional materials indicated by the teacher with the research and consultation of databases, articles or book chapters (in Italian or foreign language) relating to the topic being studied.
The paper must be submitted electronically, in accordance with the procedure that will be communicated by the teacher, at least 2 weeks before the date on which the student intends to take the oral exam.
ORAL PRESENTATION
Using PowerPoint, students will have to present the essential points of their study in a 15-minute presentation to be held on the appeal date, followed by some questions from the teacher. These questions may relate to the study just presented or other topics set out in the reference books and supplementary study material.
Attending students who work in pair are required to register for the same exam session and to make a joint presentation.

Evaluation criteria

The comparative paper is aimed at verifying:
- the ability to use and link the acquired knowledge;
- the ability to structure a written text of a comparative nature;
- the ability to analyse and argument;
- the property of language;
- the ability to locate, use, and appropriately cite the sources of information.
The oral presentation is intended to verify the ability to communicate to third parties, in a synthetic, clear and effective manner, the choice and relevance of the subject covered in the paper as well as the knowledge acquired through its production.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The grade is assigned, in the first instance, to the comparative paper. This grade can be confirmed and / or increased (up to 2 points) on the basis of the oral presentation.

Exam language

Italiano