Social Relations, Conflicts and Power in Preschool Class and Primary School Grades 1-3

The general goal of the course is that students develop a basic understanding of theoretical and critical perspectives in order to understand the complexity of social relations. Upon this basis, the course aims to develop students’ understanding of the work schools do with common value systems tied to the teaching of understanding related to sustainable development from a social perspective with focus on equality and the equal value of each human being. During the placement, students will develop their skills in educational leadership, their language skills in English, and their skills and understanding related to the development of children’s reading and writing skills.

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• show understanding of the theories on social relations, conflicts and power relations in relation to various social arenas
• show an ability to analyze, problematize and communicate issues related to social relations in educational settings and other social arenas of relevance to everyday school life based on the above theories
• show an ability to, with the point of departure in the theoretical perspectives above and from their own experiences with teaching, reflect upon the forms to prevent and counteract discrimination and other abusive treatment of pupils
• reflect upon the position as a pedagogical leader and the school as a moral arena, taking as the point of departure the theoretical perspectives outlined above
• independently, and in cooperation with practising teachers, make didactical assessments in order to organize instruction in English and children’s early development in reading and writing in ways that take into consideration both individual and group factors and that are in relation to learning goals
• show an ability within pedagogical practice to consider and communicate common democratic values and values of equality.
  

The course covers studies of social relations, conflicts and power relations that characterize the everyday of schools in the meetings between pupils, teachers, guardians and other parties. With a theoretical-critical basis, the course highlights the complex character of social relations while both making visible and problematizing the norms that characterize these. This theoretical basis comprises social-psychological and sociological perspectives on social relations with particular focus on issues related to power relations and meetings between people within a society that is characteristically diverse. As well, social media is covered as an arena for the social relationships of children, adolescents and adults. As such, the course covers the common value systems from a social perspective on sustainable development with focus on equality and the equal value of each human being.

During the placement, students are expected to take on more responsibility for teaching in relation to previous placements. They are given opportunity to reflect on the work that schools do in terms of value systems and equality; the school as a moral and social arena; and the way in which these affect the role as educational leader as well as didactical considerations. Here, students meet didactical issues that are particularly tied to teaching in English as well as the development of reading and writing skills of children. These issues are highlighted, defined and analysed as part of the placement studies with the support of literature from subject courses.

A written report and a final written examination. The professional development of the student is assessed in conjunction with the placement as well as during specific assessment seminars.

Lectures, obligatory seminars and placement.

The Swedish grades U–VG.

Number of credits:

• Report, examination, placement and seminars, 15 credits

For the web-based course, students must have access to a computer equipped with microphone and camera. If the course is web-based, then the camera is obligatory for oral examinations.

Students who do not receive a pass in the placement component of the course have the right to complete a further placement but not to more than two placements.