ECE3005 Study of Society and Environment

ECE	3005	63033	1, 2007	ONC	Study of Society and Environment	1.00	Fraser Coast
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE004
Student contribution band:	National Priority Teaching
ASCED code:	070103

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Moderator: Leisa Holzheimer

OTHER REQUISITES

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html.

RATIONALE

Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) in Australia is one of eight nationally agreed key learning areas (KLA s) which are a progression from the early years learning areas in the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines. Through an inquiry based approach, SOSE facilitates students exploration of social, environmental, historical, economic, political and cultural issues, and encourages the understanding and application of the core values of social justice, democratic process, peace and ecological and economical sustainability. In order to develop effective and appropriate school programs in the SOSE area, teachers need to be familiar with the contested nature of social knowledge and with the consequent history of this curriculum area, as well as its location within a package of broad social pedagogies, both overt and hidden. They also need to be familiar with current curriculum developments in the SOSE area within the contexts in which they are working. In particular students should be aware of the curriculum guidelines published by their Education authorities. In Australia this includes the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines and the Years 1-10 SOSE syllabus and their application.

SYNOPSIS

This course is designed to prepare pre-service educators to begin teaching in the SOSE area, and thus will focus on the formal years of early schooling (Prep to Year 3). Within a framework that acknowledges the contested nature of official social knowledge, and environmental and cultural systems, the course will explore various philosophies and approaches to social education, the current status of social education as part of the school curriculum and current SOSE curriculum documents.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course students will be able to:

discuss the nature of the social and environmental education part of the formal school curriculum (Both assignments)
critique formal SOSE curriculum programs (Both assignments)
articulate personal emerging views on the purpose of the SOSE program in a variety of educational settings (Both assignments)
demonstrate understanding of the possibilities for cross-curricular program development through SOSE (Both assignments)
Develop classroom-based social teaching programs based upon the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines, the Queensland SOSE syllabus and/or other Curriculum Guidelines published by the relevant education authority in the context of work. (Both assignments)

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Philosophical perspectives and social pedagogies	25.00
2.	Current SOSE curriculum documents	25.00
3.	Key content knowledges for teaching SOSE	25.00
4.	Planning for teaching and learning	25.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

This course has a book of selected readings to support learning. The following resources will need to be accessed via the web: Queensland School Curriculum Council, 2000, Studies of society and environment: years 1-10 syllabus, available at http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs1to10/kla/sose/syllabus.html

Queensland Studies Authority, 2005, Early years curriculum guidelines, available at http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/early/eycp/guidelines/index.html

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

The two references will support students in this course however, students are expected to use their initiative in consulting further references where appropriate in constructing considered and thoughtful responses to the activity questions throughout this unit.

Gilbert, R (ed) 2004, Studying society and environment: a guide for teachers, 3rd edn, Social Science Press, Victoria.

Marsh, C, (ed) 2005, Teaching studies of society and environment, 4th edn, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest, Pearson Education.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	30.00
Directed Study	40.00
Private Study	90.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
REFLECTIONS PORTFOLIO		65.00	65.00	15 Jun 2007
FINAL CULMINATING ACTIVITY		35.00	35.00	22 Jun 2007

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. 80% attendance at and participation in scheduled classes is expected in order to meet the objectives of this course and to achieve the weekly workshop requirements.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item and must demonstrate their ability to write clearly, grammatically correctly and with accurate spelling and punctuation.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must complete and submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the examiner.
2.	Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of request being made by the examiner. The student must retain this copy until the grade for this course has been finalised.
3.	In accordance with the University's assignment extension policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
4.	The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile. Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
5.	Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
6.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete - Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
7.	When there is more than one marker for a single item of assessment, the distributed patterns and means for the different markers will be compared and marks adjusted if necessary.
8.	Marking criteria are provided in course material as mark sheets/guides or as part of assignment specifications.
9.	Summative assessment items will receive a numerical score. Any ungraded assessment requirement will receive a Pass, Fail or Incomplete.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
Students are to use a recognised referencing system as specified by the examiner
IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.