Education and Society (2024)

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.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    EDSOC100Education: Past and Present15.024A (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 Context15.024B (Hamilton), 24B (Online) & 24B (Tauranga)
    The paper addresses the educational policies, ideas and processes shaping the educational contexts within which New Zealanders learn and teach.
    HISTY107Aotearoa Histories: Past and Future15.024B (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 Philosophy15.024B (Hamilton), 24B (Online) & 24B (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 Sociology15.024B (Hamilton) & 24B (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 Society15.024A (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.
    EDSOC201The Purpose of Education15.024B (Online) & 24B (Tauranga)
    This paper engages with a number of theoretical principles that have underpinned the ways in which the aims of education have been imagined and enacted.
    EDSOC202Planning Learning Opportunities for Adults15.024A (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 talatalanoa15.024A (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 Issues15.024A (Online) & 24A (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 Education15.024A (Hamilton)
    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 Education15.024B (Online)
    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 Life15.024B (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 Sexuality15.024B (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 Perspectives15.024A (Hamilton)
    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.

2024 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 12 March 2024 7:59pm

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