Objectives
The course aims to produce graduates who: * are flexible, literate, independent and well-informed, equipped with transferable skills highly valued in the workforce; * can teach within and across learning areas; * have developed studies in depth in two specific areas relevant to teaching in middle schools (Years 6 to 10); * are able to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of educational settings with diverse groups of students; and * have the capacity to undertake ongoing professional study through a variety of pathways. Learning outcomes In undertaking the double degree program, student will: * achieve high levels of knowledge and understanding of the content, context and processes of learning and teaching within the school environment and engage critically with this knowledge as a means of ongoing professional practice; * develop knowledge of, and skills in, curriculum * reflect critically on different teaching theories and practices, on their own teaching, and on their lives, in order to strive for excellence and creativity in their teaching role; * use a wide range of literacies with confidence and competence; * apply educational theory, knowledge and understanding to make informed professional judgements in diverse educational situations; * work collaboratively with colleagues, school students, their families and the wider community towards achieving high quality learning outcomes; * establish a firm educational foundation for ongoing professional development and lifelong learning; * achieve the knowledge and understanding that different disciplines provide and also work across disciplinary boundaries to actively create cross-curriculum links; and * appreciate the need for continuing professional development in their field of expertise.
Course description
The Bachelor of Education (Middle School) / Bachelor of Arts:
* focuses on the crucial ‘middle' period from Years 6 to 10, which includes the transition from primary to secondary school
* provides a rich liberal education for all new teachers, allowing for specialisation in two areas of choice.
As part of this double degree program you will:
* choose to focus on 2 teaching areas from the following options: Society and the Environment, Information Technology, Drama, English, Visual Arts, Junior Science, Modern Languages, Mathematics, Health Education and Physical Education
* complete a major sequence and a minor sequence chosen related to a selected 2 specialisations in Arts from about 40 different options.
A Teaching Practicum program is common to all Education degrees.
Our aim is to educate teachers who appreciate the complex nature of their work and practice in ways that promote a socially just, democratic and ecologically sustainable world.
What is Education?
Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills, and something less tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom.
Why study Education at Flinders?
Our education courses:
* allow you to complete 2 degrees in 4 years
* provide specialised options for those who wish to teach at different levels within the education system
* prepare students to become effective and appropriately skilled teachers
* open a wider range of career options than conventional teaching programs
* promote a socially just, democratic and ecologically sustainable world.
Professional recognition
Graduates will be provided with an academic qualification which will enable them to apply for registration to the Teachers' Registration Board in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries (exact requirements may vary).
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of Education degree?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of 1 extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of Education (Middle School)/Bachelor of Arts may be taken as a double degree program in four years full-time (or the equivalent part-time). Students who study part-time would normally be expected to complete the double degree program within eight years. The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology.
The double degree program of Bachelor of Education (Middle School)/Bachelor of Arts requires completion of a total of 144 units.
A Lutheran strand is available for students wishing to teach in that system.
Eligible students can complete an honours degree in either Arts or Education. Enrolment in the honours program is subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Middle School)/Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:
* a BEd component of 69-75 units;
* a BA component of 69-75 units.
The BEd component must include:
* 9 units of Education topics at First Year level;
* 12 units of Education topics at Second Year level including professional experience;
* 24 units of Education topics at Third Year level including teaching practice;
* 24-30 units of Education topics at Fourth Year level including teaching practice, dependent upon elective choices.
The BA component must include:
* 33 units of one Arts major sequence selected from the majors available as listed in the Introduction of the BA Course Rule, except for Business Economics or Education;
* 21 units of one Arts minor sequence from another major sequence selected from those available, or from the list of minor sequences available;
* either 15 or 21 units of electives (9 units at first level and 12 units at upper level or 9 units at first level and 6 units at upper level).
Except with the permission of the Board:
* no compulsory topic may be taken more than twice;
* teaching practicum topics may not be attempted more than once.
Students should note that teaching practicum topics require full-time commitment for their duration.
More specific rules related to majors and minors in the Bachelor of Arts can be referred to in the BA course rule.
First Year
Semester 1
BA major topic*
4.5
BA minor topic*
4.5
BA elective topic*
4.5
EDUC1101
Key Educational Ideas
4.5
Semester 2
BA major topic*
4.5
BA minor topic*
4.5
BA elective topic*
4.5
EDUC1201
Ways of Explaining Education
4.5
Second Year
Semester 1
BA major topic*
6
BA minor topic*
6
EDUC2302
Teaching Literacy and Numeracy in Middle School: Policy Documents to Practice
6
Semester 2
BA major topic*
6
BA minor topic*
6
EDUC2403
Development, Learning and Inclusive Teaching (6-12)
6
Third Year
Semester 1
BA major topic*
6
BA elective topic*
6
EDUC3503
Curriculum Studies Specialisation 1: Middle School/Secondary
6
EDUC3667A
Lecture for Professional Teaching Practice 3B (6-10)
0
Semester 2
Education elective topic from approved list
6
EDUC3608
Integrated Curriculum Studies
6
Non-semester
EDUC3667
Professional Teaching Practice 3B (6-10)
6
Fourth Year
Semester 1
EDUC4700
Curriculum Studies Specialisation 2 (MS/Sec)
6
EDUC4705
Social and Cultural Worlds of Learning
6
Non-semester
EDUC4778
Professional Teaching Practice 4B (6-10)
6
Semester 2
BA major topic*
6
BA elective topic* OR Education topic
6
EDUC4802
Teaching Indigenous Australian Students
6
*Topics selected from BA major and minor sequences listed in the BA course rule.
Honours degree
There are two pathways to an Honours degree in Education:
1. A full-year program consisting of 36 units of dedicated honours topics taken after the completion of the student's ordinary education degree.
2. An alternative program for students who have completed, to a sufficiently high standard (a GPA of 5.5 or higher), the first 108 units towards their particular Bachelor of Education double degree program. Admission will also depend upon the School of Education being able to provide adequate resources to supervise and manage the student's proposed research project. The general requirement of the Honours program in Education is the successful completion of 36 units of honours Education topics. However, in the alternative program, students will take 18 of these units concurrently with the relevant double degree program as part of their fourth year of study. An overload of 6 units will be required in each semester of that year. Eligible students will enrol in a three-semester program commencing in the fourth year of their double degree program.
The study pattern for the alternative three-semester program is as follows:
Year 4
Semester 1 (6-unit overload)
EDUC7000
Introduction to Research in Education (Honours Topic)
6
EDUC4700
Curriculum Studies Specialisation 2 (MS/Sec)
6
EDUC4778
Professional Teaching Practice 4B (6-10)
6
EDUC4705
Social and Cultural Worlds of Learning
6
Semester 2 (6-unit overload)
EDUC7001
Research Methods in Education: Directed Study (Honours Topic)
6
EDUC7002
Preparation for Research Thesis (Honours Topic)
6
EDUC4802
Teaching Indigenous Australian Students
6
BA topic
6
Year 5
Semester 1
EDUC7003
Honours Thesis in Education (Honours Topic)
18
