Course content

The course examines central national education reforms after World War II, their ideological basis, content and realization. The national education reforms will be analysed in elucidation of its ideological, political and social context - nationally and internationally. Educational governance is a key element. This means identification and analysis of participants, governing principles and strategies in educational reforms, internationally as well as nationally and locally. The relationships between transnational, national and municipal power and local autonomy are discussed. Analyses of governance in education emphasize curricula, management by objectives, quality assurance, and evaluation. The course also focuses on school culture, the school as a learning organization, the latitude of schools and teachers, the role of the teacher and educational leadership.

Learning outcome

The course gives indepth knowledge and theoretical understanding of:

• The development of the Norwegian education system in recent times, with special emphasis on primary and secondary education.
• The ideological and political background for the most central education policy reforms.
• How governing and management strategies apply to the education field on international, national and municipal levels.
• The school as an organization, school administration, school development and the role of the teacher.
• The design and function of curricula.
• Different systems and principles of quality assurance and assessment.
• Legal principles and systems of agreements in education.

School exams, guidance seminars and term papers provide the opportunity to apply knowledge and theoretical insight in the discussion and analysis of central issues and self-selected topics. A term paper as a form of assessment provides the opportunity for deepening and practice in carrying out independent scientific work.

Learning methods and activities

The subject has an hourly resource of 84 hours of teaching which is distributed between lectures, seminars and excursions for up to 6 hours a week in the first part of the semester and in the second part of the semester with group and individual guidance in connection with the final semester assignment. Lectures and seminars can be booked. The students participate in the preparation of the course's assessment criteria. Check Blackboard at the start of the semester for further information on compulsory activities. The teaching plan and guidelines/requirements for the term paper are published well in advance of the start of the term.

Compulsory assignments

• Participation in workshops
• Two-Three written short assignments on Blackboard

Required previous knowledge

The same admission requirements as for the master's program in Education. The requirement must be fullfilled to be admitted to the course

Course materials

The course has a core reading material of approximately 400 pages, in addition to elective reading material of around 600 pages from a specified list. The e-learning platform blackboard will be used actively.

Credit reductions