SemesterSpring Semester, 2018
DepartmentPhD Program of Education, First Year PhD Program of Education, Second Year
Course NameStudy on Comparative Education
Instructor
Credit3.0
Course TypeElective
Prerequisite
Course Objective
Course Description
Course Schedule

CLASS SCHEDULE:



This is a class with lectures and discussions. weekly readings will be provided in advance for each session.



 




  1. Introduction

  2. Topic The Comparative Mind

    Readings: Bray et al. (Introduction, Chapter 1)



Chapter 1 - Introduction – The Comparative Mind



1. What kind of cross-national and/or intra-national comparisons can you think of? Use the Bray/Thomas' cube. In both cases you may draw on the experience of your own country's education system.



2. Think of any example of "educational policy borrowing" in your country. Is your country a source of educational models for other countries or merely a borrower?




  1. Topic: Units of Comparison in Comparative Education (1/3)

    Readings: Bray et al. (Chapters 4-6)



Brainstorm (class): Using aspects of education that you are familiar with, what are some examples of possible comparisons between each level/unit of analysis?



4  Topic: Units of Comparison in Comparative Education (2/3)

Readings: Bray et al. (Chapters 7-9)



Brainstorm (class): Using aspects of education that you are familiar with, what are some examples of possible comparisons between each level/unit of analysis?



5  Topic: Units of Comparison in Comparative Education (3/3)

Readings: Bray et al. (Chapters 10-14)



Research development (pairs): Choose two different levels of analysis and units of analysis for each. Discuss how they could be compared and then briefly summarize your ideas to the class, including: Background, Units of analysis, Research questions (think of possible research questions you could ask in your term paper)

6  Topic: Globalization vs. Localization: Notion or Reality: East Asian Education in the    Context of Worldwide Education Reform?

   Readings: Chou & Ching chapter 1, 4



 




  1. What are the different phases of education reform identified in the chapter?

  2. How does this chapter connect to the units of analysis discussed in Bray, Adamson, and Mason' book?

  3. How does education reform in your country (or any country of your choice) compares to education reform in East Asian countries discussed in the chapter?



7  Topic: Education Reform Policies in the US



Readings: Ravitchchapters 1, 2, 4, 11



Question for the class: what general similarities and what differences do you see between American education system and the one of your country (or of any country of your choice)?



 



8  Topic: Education Reform Policies in Europe and Asia



Readings: The extent and impact of higher education governance reform across Europe, pp. 5-18



(http://www.aef-europe.be/documents/RAPP_doc236_en.pdf)



   Question for the class: what general similarities and what differences do you see between



   Asia, US and Europe with respect to education reform and outcome?



How could this weekly reading assignment be used when interpreting the current "revolutionary" education reform in Finland?



 



9  Topic: The Global Achievement Gap

Readings: Wagne – chapter1-3

Question for class: Why are schools at risk in the global era?



 



10  Topic: The Learning Gap from Comparative Perspectives



Readings: Wagne – chapter 4-6



Question for class: Why is the global learning gap widening from comparative perspective?



 



11  Topic: Education Reforms: Case Studies



 



12– Oral presentation of term paper I



 



13  Oral presentation of term paper II


Teaching Methods
Teaching Assistant
Requirement/Grading

TEACHING METHOD:



Participants of this class will be able to discuss a wide variety of education issues from comparative, international and even personal perspectives. Classes will be conducted in a two-way and interactive format between instructor and students, which intends to invite more shared ideas and inspiration about the topics. It is hoped that this class will facilitate student learning through the integration and application of comparative and international education theories and practices in education and national development from comparative perspective.



 



ASSESSMENT:




  1. In-class project (30%)

  2. Term paper (70%)


Textbook & Reference

REQUIRED READINGS (selected chapters)



 



1. Bray, M., Adamson, B., & Mason, M. (eds). (2014). Comparative Education Research: Approaches and Methods, Second Edition. Hong Kong: Comparative Education Research Centre, University of Hong Kong and Dordrecht: Springer.



2. Chou, C. P. and Ching, G. S. (2012). Taiwan Education at the Crossroad: When Globalization Meets Localization. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.



3. Ravitch, Diane (2010). The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. New York: Basic Books. 



4. Wagne, Tony (2011). The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don't Teach the



New Survival Skills Our Children Need - and What We Can Do About It. CT: Tantor Media



5.Chou, C.P. & Spangler, J. (2016). Chinese Education Models in a Global Age. Singapore: Springer.



6.  Additional Reading Materials will be provided online.



 


Urls about Course
(http://www3.nccu.edu.tw/~iaezcpc/en/index.html
Attachment