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. 2A, Sem. 2B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning outcomes

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).  

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.

The course builds, during its delivery, on the active participation of attending students (whether they are present physically or remotely but synchronously) in exercises and discussions proposed by the teacher during the lesson, within the limits allowed by the emergency measures related to the Covid-19, or in preparation for subsequent lessons. This preparation may include the identification of reference material through focused search in specialised journals (in Italian or foreign language).

Furthermore, the attending students will be required, within the first 2 weeks from the start of the course, to form working couples in order to carry out a short comparative study, which they will account for during the exam, through the joint production and presentation of a comparative paper (see: Examination method).

Consistently with these expectations, useful information will be provided during the course for the production of a comparative paper.

Finally, all students (attending and non-attending) are required to register on the teaching e-learning platform. Through this platform, indications of relevant chapters from the reference texts will be provided as well as additional study materials.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

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 pairs are required to register for the same exam session and to make a joint presentation.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT

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.