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This module aims to explore the 'materials' of education as a means to understand the practices that influence education worldwide. Lectures will provide a theoretical overview drawing on disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, history, and the politics of education and examine how educational materials are intertwined with the meanings of education. Seminars are more hands-on and practical, as we will work with physical education objects/artefacts. Students are also highly encouraged to incorporate their personal experiences and engage in collaborative work throughout the module.Ìý

Teaching delivery: This module is taught in 10 weekly lectures and 10 weekly seminars.ÌýÌý

Indicative Topics: The module will adopt an ‘object-based learning’ approach. Following an introductory framing session, each week will be centred around a specific educational object, such as pencils, textbooks, uniforms, walls, etc. Through the lens of these objects, we will investigate how education is shaped and evolved through various material practices. (These are Indicative lecture topics – based on module content in 2023/24, subject to possible changes)Ìý

Module Aims:ÌýÌý

• To introduce students to the range of materials encountered in everyday educational settings.Ìý
• To enable students to apply interdisciplinary perspectives to analyse the significance of seemingly ordinary material aspects of education.Ìý
• To equip students with skills to think critically and make cross-cultural comparisons by exploring various international contexts, including examples from both the Global South and North.Ìý

Recommended readings:ÌýÌý

• Brooks, R., & Waters, J. (2017). Materialities and mobilities in education. London: Routledge. (Read: Chapter 2 The Materiality of Education, Materialities and mobilities in education, pp 10-28)Ìý
• Lawn, M., & Grosvenor, I. (Eds.). (2005). Materialities of schooling: Design, technology, objects, routines. Symposium Books Ltd.Ìý
• Shanks, R., Ovington, J., Cross, B., & Carnarvon, A. (Eds.). (2023). School Uniforms: New Materialist Perspectives. Springer Nature.

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