Education and Society (2022)

This subject involves critical inquiry into the social, political, cultural, and economic policies, theories and practices of education in New Zealand society. Its origins are in humanities and social science disciplines such as History, Philosophy, and Sociology, and it has close affinities with contemporary interdisciplinary fields exploring social policy, culture, gender, and work. Education and Society raises questions about the role of education in addressing issues of social justice, power and inequality.

Education and Society is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC), and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Education and Society may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Education and Society as a single major for the BA, BCC or the BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Education and Society, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete either EDSOC100 or EDSOC101; at least 30 points from EDSOC200, EDSOC201 and EDSOC202; and at least 30 points from EDSOC300, EDSOC301, EDSOC302 and EDSOC303.

To complete Education and Society as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degrees, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Education and Society including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete either EDSOC100 or EDSOC101; at least 30 points from EDSOC200, EDSOC201 and EDSOC202; and at least 30 points from EDSOC300, EDSOC301, EDSOC302 and EDSOC303.

To complete a minor in Education and Society, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Education and Society major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.


On this page


  • Prescriptions for the GradCert(EdSoc)

    The qualification regulations define the requirements for the Graduate Certificate. There are no specified subject papers that must be completed for the GradCert(EdSoc).

  • Prescriptions for the GradDip(EdSoc)

    The qualification regulations define the requirements for the Graduate Diploma. The qualification must include EDSOC101 and one of EDSOC100, EDSOC200 or EDSOC201.

  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(EdSoc)

    The qualification regulations define the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate. There are no specified subject papers that must be completed for the PGCert(EdSoc).

  • Prescriptions for the PGDip(EdSoc)

    The qualification regulations define the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma. There are no specified subject papers that must be completed for the PGDip(EdSoc).

  • Prescriptions for the MEd

    To complete the Master of Education in Education and Society, students must complete 180 points at 500 level, including at least 60 points from 500 level papers in the Education and Society subject; one of the following research methods papers EDUCA500, EDUCA557 or MAOED500; and one of a Directed Study equivalent to 30 points, a Dissertation equivalent to 60 points, or a Thesis equivalent to 90 or 120 points.

    Students will normally be expected to focus their independent research on a topic related to Education and Society.

    Optional papers will be selected from the papers listed in the MEd subjects, the MEdLeadership, or 30 points may be selected from outside the field of the degree.

  • Prescriptions for the BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc

    To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in graduate Education and Society papers, a student should normally have at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level Education and Society papers or all their undergraduate Education and Society papers.

    To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Education and Society, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally EDUCA590), EDUCA557 or HISTY516.

    To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA or MSocSc in Education and Society, a student should have completed either:

    a) a BA or BSocSc with a major in Education and Society (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average across all 300 level papers.

    b) a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Education and Society (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average across all 500 level papers.

    Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in Education and Society vary according to admission criteria:

    Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including a research methodology paper, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis, or a 60 point dissertation.

    Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    EDSOC100Education: Past and Present15.022A (Hamilton)
    This paper critically examines educational ideas and practices by considering philosophical, historical, political, socio-cultural and economic aspects. It examines how the interrelationships between education and society change over time.
    EDSOC101The New Zealand Educational Context15.022B (Hamilton), 22B (Online) & 22B (Tauranga)
    The paper addresses the educational policies, ideas and processes shaping the educational contexts within which New Zealanders learn and teach.
    HISTY107New Zealand Histories: Fresh Perspectives15.022A (Hamilton)
    This introductory paper provides students with an overview of Aotearoa New Zealand's histories through hundreds of years of Maori and Iwi history and British Colonial invasions, to the present. Students explore popular overarching myths and narratives of Aotearoa NZ history, key events, peoples and leading scholarship in the field....
    PHILO150The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy15.022B (Hamilton) & 22B (Tauranga)
    An introduction to philosophy that investigates a range of big questions. The big questions may include: does God exist?, does my morality apply to you?, do we have free will?, what is the meaning of life?, and who am I?.
    SOCIO101Introduction to Sociology15.022A (Hamilton) & 22A (Tauranga)
    This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and practices that enable an understanding of contemporary societies.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    EDSOC200Education and New Zealand Society15.022A (Online)
    This paper critically examines educational ideas and practices by considering philosophical, historical, political, socio-cultural and economic aspects. It examines how the interrelationships between education and society change over time.
    EDSOC201The Purpose of Education15.022B (Online)
    This paper is an introduction to the philosophy of education. It engages with a number of principles, including phenomenology, Romanticism, indigenous metaphysics, Western metaphysics, and poststructuralism.
    EDSOC202Planning Learning Opportunities for Adults15.022A (Online)
    This paper investigates fundamental concepts of adult learning and then studies some adult learning theorists whose work is relevant to programme development. Major bottom-up and top-down approaches are taken to understand the dynamics of programme development. Students develop and apply their own approach to development, implement...
    EDSOC203Education in the Moana: Critical Indigenous talatalanoa15.022A (Hamilton)
    This paper provides the foundational ideas and principles associated with Indigenous education aligned with Moana Matauranga. It will examine the impact of colonisation on the education systems in Moana-nui-a-kiwa.
    SOCPY200Social Policy and Social Issues15.022A (Online) & 22A (Tauranga)
    The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social problems, such as poverty.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    EDSOC300Māori Knowledge and Western Impacts in Education15.022A (Online)
    This paper explores comparisons between key Western and Maori philosophies. It considers how Maori and Western philosophies respectively describe the self's relationship with thought and knowledge in the context of education.
    EDSOC301History of New Zealand Education15.0No occurrences
    This paper explores the recent history of New Zealand education, with particular emphasis on the Tomorrow's Schools and other educational reforms introduced in the 1980s and those that have followed.
    EDSOC302Adults Learning for Life15.022B (Online)
    This paper explores the character of adult learning including analysis of social issues in the field. It focusses on areas within lifelong learning where social inequalities are most prevalent.
    EDSOC303Education and Sexuality15.022B (Online)
    A study of the ways childhood and adult sexuality is constructed, monitored and regulated in society and in educational settings. The major emphasis is on exploring sexuality through historical and sociological perspectives.
    EDUCA303Curriculum Perspectives15.022A (Online)
    This paper examines curriculum conceptions, perspectives, and decision-making, through a range of historical, political and socio-cultural contexts and settings. Participants engage in critique of curriculum issues and shaping forces.
    EDUWK300Community Engagement in Education15.0No occurrences
    This paper provides opportunities for professional and personal development within varied work-related settings relevant to the fields of Education and Society, Digital Learning, and Human Development.
  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    ADLNG500Issues in Adult and Tertiary Education30.0No occurrences
    This paper will investigate issues in current theory, policy and practices in adult and tertiary education locally and internationally. In the course of this enquiry, students will be expected to critique multiple perspectives, develop a coherent philosophical base and a research design to address a specific issue.
    EDSOC511Curriculum Policy and Possibilities30.022B (Online)
    This paper provides a critical theory and practice underpinning for participants interested in curriculum policy, implementation and leadership. Participants engage with educational thought and discourses that shape curriculum policy and possibilities. Contemporary conceptions of citizenship education, and cross-curricular approach...
    EDSOC533Engaging Families and Communities in Early Years Programmes: Collaborative and Cultural Inquiry Approaches30.0No occurrences
    The paper offers theoretical understandings of working in early years settings that aim to integrate educational opportunities and holistic support for children and families. It offers opportunity to undertake a small research project using a collaborative and cultural inquiry approach to find out about the funds of knowledge residing in families and communities.
    EDUCA500Culturally Responsive Methodologies incorporating kaupapa Māori and Critical Theories30.022X (Block - Tauranga)
    Culturally Responsive Methodologies utilise kaupapa Maori and critical theoretical frameworks to develop contexts within which the researched community can define the terms for engaging, relating and co-creating new knowledge.
    EDUCA557Becoming a researcher: theory, ethics and methods30.022A (Online), 22B (Online) & 22H (Block)
    This paper introduces students to the major educational research paradigms, methodologies appropriate to collecting data in schools (including interviews, observations, surveys, case studies), action research, literature reviews, critiquing research, and report writing. It includes consideration of ethical issues in research.
    EDUCA590Directed Study30.022I (Hamilton), 22I (Online) & 22X (Hamilton)
    Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
    EDUCA592Dissertation60.022I (Online), 22J (Online), 22X (Hamilton), 22X (Online) & 22X (Tauranga)
    A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
    EDUCA593Education Thesis90.022I (Online), 22X (Hamilton), 22X (Online) & 22X (Tauranga)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
    EDUCA594Education Thesis120.022X (Hamilton), 22X (Online) & 22X (Tauranga)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
    GLOBE507International Educational Development30.0No occurrences
    This paper explores the relationship between education, poverty and development in international contexts. It critically examines theories, discourses and debates, and considers how education contributes towards sustainable, equitable and peaceful development.
    GLOBE587Globalisation, Cultures, Identities and Education30.022A (Online)
    Globalisation challenges many assumptions about identities and cultures that impact on education. Focusing on narrative research methods, the course critically examines power relations and subjectivity as it considers multiple narratives of identity (eg. personal, gender, ethnic, national immigration).
    MAOED500Rangahau Kaupapa Māori - Kaupapa Māori Research30.022X (Hamilton)
    This paper seeks to explore Kaupapa Maori research theory and methodologies, developing more informed and culturally located and responsive research practice, with a particular focus on researching in Maori educational contexts.
    MAOED523Māori Educational Policies: Their Development and Some Strategic Responses30.022X (Block - Tauranga)
    This paper examines the historical and contemporary politics and practices that have contributed to the current education disparities that affect Maori people in particular, but also the wider fabric of New Zealand society. The paper then considers historical and contemporary policies developed to address these disparities and a nu...

2022 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 22 September 2023 8:09pm

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