Democracy, Human Rights and Sustainability: Global Perspectives in Education, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course explores education about, through, and for democracy, human rights, and sustainability in various global contexts. School systems are analyzed in relation to these principles, examining their historical and contemporary relevance. The focus is on a critical perspective on democratic education, including policy constraints and cultural differences. Through a comparative approach, students develop a deeper understanding of how education can promote social justice, active citizenship, and sustainable development.

Expected learning outcomes

After the course the students should have acquired competence to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge of education about, through, and for democracy, and sustainability
• show an understanding of democracy, human rights, and sustainability as both historical and contemporary concepts.

Skills and ability

• analyse and compare school systems in relation to education about and for democracy, human rights, and sustainability.

Values and attitudes

• reflect on the challenges and opportunities of democracy education in different global contexts.

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The teaching is organised through lectures and group seminars. The teaching activities, including course specific information and communication with students, can partly or totally be carried out with support from information and communication technology. From this may follow particular demands regarding technical equipment and technical skills. The course is given in English.

Examination modes

The course is examined through the following elements:

• One individually written essay (fail, pass, pass with distinction)
• Three individual oral seminars (fail, pass)

In order to receive the course grade Pass, all assignments during the course must be assessed as passed. In order to receive the course grade Pass with distinction, all assignments must have been graded as Pass and the individual written essay must have been graded as Pass with distinction.

For each examining part of the course is a regular examination given with a second reexamination within two months after the regular examination. For examinations performed in May and June is the first reexamination offered within three months of the regular examination. In addition to this is a third reexamination given within a year after the end of the course. Examination based on the same course plan as the regular examination is guaranteed within two years after the earlier course plan has ceased to be valid or the course is no longer given (see rules for grades and examination on basic and advanced level, Dnr: FS 1.1-574-22). A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course is entitled to have another examiner appointed after a written request to the head of department.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Transfer of credits

In order to transfer credits to a corresponding course at Umeå University, students have the right to submit previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession for evaluation. Application for transfer of credits is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. More information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's student website, www.umu.se/student, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal for transfer of credits may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies whether the entire application or part of the application for transfer of credits is refused.