Course - Education from a societal perspective - PED2000
Education from a societal perspective
New from the academic year 2025/2026
About
About the course
Course content
The course provides an introduction to educational processes with a focus on the relationship between individual, structure and society. These processes are studied in light of central pedagogical, didactic and political concepts and with a critical perspective as a starting point. Overall, the course examines what characterizes society in our time and how citizens and educational institutions relate to these conditions. The course addresses topics such as the role of education in modern society, national and international educational policy, school - university - lifelong learning, social mobility and sustainability, democracy and citizenship, cultural preservation and renewal, social integration and respect for diversity. Topics are made concrete through examples from primary and secondary education, higher education and working life, with schools and universities as central social institutions.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students
- have knowledge and insight into the role of education in modern society
- understand basic pedagogical concepts, and how societal conditions affect pedagogical processes in the education system related to the interaction between structures and individuals
Skills
Students
- can analyze and understand how pedagogical processes are influenced by the relationship between individuals and structures
- can use pedagogical concepts to investigate and understand pedagogical processes in different contexts
General competence
Students
- can apply their pedagogical expertise in collaboration with other students on a shared semester assignment, and jointly define problems and find relevant solutions to them
- can use pedagogical concepts in written presentation both individually and in collaboration with fellow students
- can communicate and apply their subject expertise in collaboration with fellow students and debate their projects in a professional manner.
Learning methods and activities
3 hours of teaching per week. A mixture of lectures, seminars, group work and supervision is planned. Activities will vary from week to week to create a good interaction between academic content and the group assignment. Including the 3 hours of scheduled teaching per week, there is a clear expectation that students spend a minimum of 210 hours on the course.
Compulsory assignments
- Individual assignment
- Active participation in group work
Further on evaluation
Further information about the exam and mandatory activities will be provided in the beginning of the semester
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| PED2001 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2025 |
Subject areas
- Education
- Social Sciences
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
- Dagrun Astrid Aarø Engen
- Hans Petteri Hansen
- Heidun Oldervik
- Martha Torgeirdatter Dahl
- Pål André Aarsand
- Tessa DeLaquil