Department of Education, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
ED50203 Strategic issues in higher education |
| Credits: 9 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims:
* To provide participants with a systematic and critical understanding of macro strategic developments affecting higher education * To gain an understanding of how present developments have evolved from different traditions, philosophies and histories of higher education * To gain a critical overview of a range of theoretical frameworks used to analyse the relationship between external macro forces and the responses developed by higher education institutions * To provide participants with relevant knowledge and skills to identify the relevance of macro strategic issues for higher education in general and for their own institutions * To introduce participants to the growing literature and knowledge base on strategy and policy in higher education * To enable participants to reflect on and enhance their own professional roles in higher education. Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit participants will be able to: * Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the nature and processes of macro strategic developments affecting higher education * Apply insights gained from analytical frameworks and empirical research to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the significance of the above for higher education * Analyse, compare and evaluate strategic responses developed by different types of universities in different national systems * Identify key gaps in the knowledge base for higher education policy and strategy * Identify and analyse the major implications of the macro strategic developments described above for participants own national, institutional and professional contexts. Skills: Intellectual: * the history and philosophy of the university as a chartered organisation (T/F/A) * the structure and organisation of the university (T/F/A) * synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and practice (T/F/A) * demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems (F) * apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide range of sources and large body of knowledge (F/A) * deal with complex academic issues both systematically and creatively (T/F) * evaluate research and a variety of types of information and evidence critically, also making informed judgements in the absence of complete data (T/F/A) * analyse, evaluate and interpret the evidence underpinning practice critically and initiate change in practice appropriately (T/F/A). Professional: * enhance their professional practice in higher education for example through analytical planning (F) * better contribute to professional debate in the field of higher education (T/F/A) * act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level. (F) Practical/key: * communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences (T/F/A) * evaluate their own academic and professional performance (F) * utilise problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations (T/F) * manage change effectively and respond to changing demands (F) * continue to advance their knowledge and understanding (F) * manage time, prioritise workloads and recognise and manage personal emotions and stress (F) * understand career opportunities and challenges (F) * develop new or higher level skills, for example in IT.(T/F) Content: To achieve the aims stated above, the unit will address the following areas; some of these will be individual sessions while others are likely to be themes combined in one session or appearing across more than one session: * Autonomy and accountability in higher education * Institutional mission, positioning and identity in a diversified higher education environment * Macro issues in the funding of higher education * The relationship between research and teaching in higher education * The growth of virtual and borderless education * Widening participation and thee development of mass systems of higher education * The emergence of private and corporate universities * The role of market mechanisms and new managerialism in higher education * The development of higher education stakeholders and students as clients * Emerging systems of quality assurance. |