Course syllabus
ESD600, Theory and Method of Research in Education for Sustainable Development
15 credits, second cycle
Confirmation
This course syllabus was confirmed by Department of Education and Special Education on 2019-07-02 to be valid from 2019-09-02, autumn semester of 2019.
Field of education: Social Sciences 100%
Department: Department of Education and Special Education
Position in the educational system
The course is a compulsory course in the master's Program Education for Sustainable Development, University of Gothenburg.
Main field of studies: Education and Sustainability
Specialization: A1F, Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Entry requirements
At least 45 credits in the main field of studies Education and Sustainability or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of the English language (English 6/English B) of the Swedish Upper Secondary School or equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Determine the methodological attributes of published empirical studies within the field of ESD and comment insightfully on their scientific and social value.
- Critically discuss research designs, including theory or specific assumptions that are used to make connections with ESD.
- Turn issues encountered in ESD practice or literature into defensible research questions that involve others and that recognize different perspectives.
- Formulate research goals aimed at clarifying and progressing ESD.
- Connect research goals and research questions with ESD-relevant theory.
- Write a research plan according to a single or mixed methods design, taking into
- account participation and/or collaboration with others.
- Engage with descriptions of research ethics, and reflect on how you would do research ethically.
The course is sustainability-focused, which means that at least one of the learning outcomes clearly shows that the course content meets at least one of the University of Gothenburg’s confirmed sustainability criteria. The content also constitutes the course's main focus.
Course content
The course builds greater understanding of the research methods used in empirical studies of ESD, and then uses that greater understanding to enable students to practice developing new research plans that focus on ESD practice and/or scholarship, making good use of research methods and instruments. The course consists of five modules. The first module of the course is composed of ‘receptive’ skills that aim at the ability to overview and review published empirical studies and research methods used into ESD. The second, third, fourth and fifth modules of the course aim to develop ‘productive’ skills, the skills that are needed to design new research that is both methodologically sound and supported by ESD-relevant theory.
In the first module of the course, students learn how to assess progress being made by ESD research in the pursuit of ESD goals in a scholarly manner, inviting them to independently and critically assess whether effective use is made of research methods and ESD-related practice and/or theory. Students will also come to grips with research ethics relevant to ESD research, focussing on an ethics that is (self-)reflexive, respectful and in open dialogue with others.
The second, third, fourth and fifth modules of the course are based on inquiry-based learning and working together. Here students form into groups and collectively seek out a research topic in ESD. They will collectively explore how to clearly formulate a research problem or challenge, and then develop that problem or challenge into a research plan with a convincing combination of theory and method. With respect to research methods, students are free to focus on any research method suitable to ESD research, whether it be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Students will be supported in their learning by a series of research methods workshops.
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to reflect on and take responsibility for making research approaches more socially and environmentally sustainable.
Form of teaching
The course is web-based and will take place entirely on a digital learning platform. Teaching is done by way of short web-based movies and short web-based presentations. Students are expected to undertake significant self-study, as instructed and advised by tutors and as part of student study group agreements. Course assignments are submitted to the digital learning platform. The course is built into five modules which are described in the course guide. The language of instruction is English.
Assessment
Assessment will be done individually through written home assignments, collectively through group work and active participating in online seminars. In the course there are three assessment moments where grades and credits are given: after module 1 (5 hp), after modules 2+3 (5 hp) and after modules 4+5 (5 hp).
If a student, who has failed the same examined component twice, wishes to change examiner before the next examination, a written application shall be sent to the department responsible for the course and shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).
In cases where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, the student shall normally be guaranteed at least three examination occasions (including the ordinary examination) during a period of at least one year from the last time the course was given.
Grades
The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).
The assessment consists of multiple assignments in each module. Each assignment contributes to the course grade. The criteria for the different grades will be specified in the course guide.
Course evaluation
Course evaluation is done in relation to the course learning outcomes and content and is done continuously during the course in the form of an individual network survey at the end of the course. The result and any changes in the course structure should be communicated to both the students who completed the evaluation and to the students who will begin the course.
Additional information
The course uses the University of Gothenburg’s management learning system for different forms of digital communication. Access to a computer and the Internet is therefore required.
The syllabus as PDF download
Course summary:
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