Inclusive Education, Sociology of Education and SESE
Course Content
The Inclusive Education Department provides courses for undergraduate (B.Ed.) and postgraduate (Diploma in Primary Teaching) students in the following areas:
The Sociology of Education course assumes that we are formed in large measure by our relationships with others, ie. that our individual behaviour as human beings reflects to a considerable extent, our social experience. Education is a central social institution that interacts and is interdependent with other institutional structures of society. Equally, it is a process that provides for socialisation into society. It is essential therefore, that in the course of preparing for professional practice in education, student teachers are facilitated in engaging in a systematic study of these realities with a view to gaining an in-depth understanding of both macro- and micro-level social factors in education and the significant implications of these structures and processes for their work in classrooms and schools.
The course seeks:
- To promote an understanding of education as a central social institution.
- To develop in students an understanding of various sociological perspectives in education, their interconnections and implications
- To explore how sociological theories can make a major contribution to understanding how macro-level social forces as well as micro-level school dynamics impact in schools
- To enable students to gain understanding of the critical relationship between sociological factors and 'achievement' in education.
Special Education:
This course comprises an in-depth study of all current concepts of and provision for special education in the primary school. Topics covered include: Recent Developments in Special Education in Ireland / Legislation; Teaching Children with Autism / Down Syndrome / Dyslexia / Dyspraxia / Emotional – Behavioural Difficulties / ADHD / Visual Impairment / Hearing Impairment / Speech and Language Disorders / Physical Disabilities; Literacy for Children with Learning Difficulties – Special Needs; Planning (Individual Education Plans); Differentiating the Curriculum; Guidelines for Teachers of Students with General Learning Disabilities (Mild / Moderate / Severe-Profound). In the final term of the course, students are afforded an opportunity to gain practical experience of special education at primary level, during a three-week school placement in a special needs context.
Educational Disadvantage:
In this course we examine the manner in which socio-economic status is closely related to pupils’ educational performance. The link between the social and educational systems in Ireland is explored from a number of sociological perspectives. The causes and effects of educational disadvantage are examined, and local, national and international initiatives to combat it are discussed. Implications for schools and teachers - organisation, planning, practical strategies and home/school links, in designated areas of educational disadvantage, are considered. The particular circumstances of Traveller pupils and their experience in the Irish school system, together with practical strategies to provide for the inclusion of such pupils from an intercultural perspective, are addressed in depth. All students participate in a four-week teaching practice placement in a ‘DEIS’ (designated disadvantaged) school.
Development and Intercultural Education:
In an increasingly complex, globalised and multicultural society, children require an education that will enable them to understand and actively participate in the world. The aim of this course is to support students in integrating an intercultural and global dimension into their teaching. The module is aimed at introducing students to the principles and approaches of intercultural and development education in order to enhance their ability to work in diverse settings as well as enabling them to approach the teaching of other localities from the perspectives of equality, respect and social justice. The changed demographics of Irish society mean that the ability to teach English as an additional language has become a necessary component of teacher education. This course will explore the teaching of EAL within the broader context of intercultural education.
Staff Profiles/Contact
Dr Anne Ryan (Rannóg / Department Head)
email: Anne.Ryan@mie.ie
Tel: 353 1 8535156
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