Diversity, Identities, and Education

This subject offers an overview of major debates surrounding diversity and identities, and consideration of their relevance for education practice and policy. Students will gain an understanding of key theoretical approaches to diversity and identity, engaging with research to critically analyse past and present education practices and future possibilities. This subject will address global and local contexts through analysis of international examples of education experiences, curricula, and pedagogical approaches, and will focus on themes of inequalities, sustainability, and social change. There will be opportunities for students to develop in-depth study of selected concepts and topics in educational settings of their choosing, such as schools, higher and further education, early childhood settings, policy, and public educational institutions. The subject will bring focus to lived experiences, attending to, for example, First Nations’ experiences, gender diversity and sexuality, race and racism, cultural diversity, disability, climate injustices, and social class inequalities. Students will be given the opportunity to explore the crucial role of diversity and identities in education from children and young people into adulthood, and examine different possible educational approaches to tackle injustices, such as anti-colonialism, social justice, inclusion, critical and feminist pedagogies, and inter-cultural understanding.