PSYED507 – Social Institutions in Modern Education
MSc in Educational Psychology – Distance Learning
Core Course
PSYED507 – Social Institutions in Modern Education
Course Unit Code: PSYED507
Type Of Unit: Distance Learning
Level of Course Unit: Postgraduate
Year of Study: Year 2
Semester: Semester 1
Number of ECTS Credits: 10
Class Contact Hours: 12
Mode of Delivery
Distance Learning
Prerequisites
No
Course Objectives
This course aims to familiarize students with social institutions and their role in modern education. Students will explore institutions that influence the quality and effectiveness of the learning and teaching process, including the family and the economy. The course highlights how the institution of education can be strengthened or undermined by multiple factors and emphasizes the global goal of ensuring equitable education for all.
The Study Guide supports the learning process and serves as a reference point between the instructor and the students. It complements the bibliography and additional assignments provided by the instructor during the semester.
Throughout the semester, students will work through twelve thematic units, engaging in critical discussion, reflection, and question formulation to be addressed during telemeetings.
Each thematic unit includes: Purpose, Theoretical Background, Learning Objectives, Key Words, Useful Study Resources, Questions for Reflection and Critical Thinking, and Estimated Study Time.
General Objectives of the Course
The course explores:
-
Social institutions and their relationship to educational quality and reform
-
The role of family, economy, and government in shaping educational outcomes
-
The need for equal educational opportunities for all learners
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the course, students are expected to:
-
Become familiar with international literature on social institutions
-
Understand the roles of family, economy, and government institutions in educational reform and effectiveness
-
Critically discuss whether equitable education for all is achievable globally, and explore practices that could help achieve this goal
Course Content
Introductory Note
THEMATIC UNIT 1: Social Institutions
THEMATIC UNIT 2: Education Through the Lens of Sociology
1st Tele-Meeting
THEMATIC UNIT 3: Reform in the Institution of Education
THEMATIC UNIT 4: Allocation of Financial Resources to Education
2nd Tele-Meeting
THEMATIC UNIT 5: Educational Psychology in the Institutional Reform of Education
THEMATIC UNIT 6: Teacher Education and Professional Development
3rd Tele-Meeting
THEMATIC UNIT 7: Transition from School to International Society
THEMATIC UNIT 8: Information and Communication Technologies in Education
4th Tele-Meeting
THEMATIC UNIT 9: Family Diversity and Education
THEMATIC UNIT 10: Social Expectations and Education
5th Tele-Meeting
THEMATIC UNIT 11: Family and School Partnership for the Maximization of Learning Outcomes
THEMATIC UNIT 12: Crisis Prevention and Response in the Educational Context
6th Tele-Meeting
Course Features
Six two-hour consultation meetings will be held during the semester. These provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and clarification of questions that arise during study. Participation is strongly recommended.
Before each meeting, students must study the material posted on the University of Limassol platform for the corresponding thematic units, along with the suggested bibliography.
Assessment
-
10% – Five interactive activities (2% each)
-
20% – Individual assignment
-
20% – Group assignment
-
50% – Final examination
All intermediate requirements must be completed to sit the final exam. A minimum overall grade of 55% is required to pass.
Readings
- Ballantine, J., Stuber, J., & Everitt, J. (2021). The Sociology of Education: A Systematic Analysis (9th ed.). Routledge.
- OECD (2023). Education at a Glance 2023: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing.
-
Dworkin, A. G., Ballantine, J., Antikainen, A., Barbosa, M. L., Konstantinovskiy, D., Saha, L. J., … & Teodoro, A. (2013). The Sociology of Education. Sociopedia.isa.
English (UK) 
Ελληνικά