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Unit of study_

EDEC4007: Partnering with Families on the Margins

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit builds on earlier program content on family partnerships by focusing specifically on partnering with marginalised families. That children from these families stand to benefit most from attending quality early childhood education services, yet are least likely to attend such services, will be critically explored. Using social justice principles this unit aims to develop students' knowledge, skills and disposition to engage and work effectively with marginalised families, as leaders of socially just, inclusive early childhood education and in interdisciplinary ways. Completion of a 20-hour service learning placement is a requirement for the successful completion of this unit.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDEC4007
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
120 credit points, including EDUF2007 and EDEC2005 and EDEC2008 and EDEC2010 and EDEC3008 and EDEC3011.
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Marianne Fenech, marianne.fenech@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Partnering with families on the margins
A detailed description of this assessment task is available in Canvas.
40% Week 06 20 min zoom presentation + 2000wd report
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment Partnering with families on the margins: Professional journey
A detailed description of this assessment task is available in Canvas
60% Week 14 (STUVAC) 3-4 minute digital story
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Mid-semester break Fieldwork day 2 Field trip (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 01 Introduction to the Unit and Working with families on the margins Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Partnering with families: Regulatory requirements and professional expectations Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Socially just, strengths-based approaches to working with families on the margins Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Partnering with the community to better partner with families on the margins Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Integrated service provision, inter-professional work, and family-centred practice Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Families experiencing disadvantage Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 07 Fieldwork day 1 Field trip (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Fieldwork day 3 Field trip (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Fieldwork day 4 Field trip (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Digital storytelling: Preparation for Assignment 2 Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 14 (STUVAC) Unit review and Assignment 2 presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Required text:

Rouse, Elizabeth. (2020). Partnerships in the Early Years : Building Connections and Supporting Families. Victoria, Australia: Oxford University Press.

Additional weekly readings are listed in e-reserve in Canavs.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of building relationships with families, including regulatory requirements around community engagement and partnering with families
  • LO2. Explain the multiple and complex barriers that impede the equitable participation of families who are marginalised in early childhood education programs
  • LO3. Identify the complex needs of families who experience disadvantage, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, families living with poverty, mental illness, drug & alcohol dependence, and/or family violence, and immigrant or refugee families
  • LO4. Critically reflect on your own perceptions about families who are marginalised
  • LO5. Consider your professional and ethical responsibility as teachers and leaders of socially just early childhood education to intentionally engage and partner with families who are marginalised
  • LO6. Develop within-centre and outreach strategies that are intended to engage, and are inclusive of, families who are marginalised
  • LO7. Appreciate the complexities involved in integrated service provision and/or inter-professional work

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
4.2. Multicultural education
4.3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
4.5. Culture, diversity and inclusion
5.3. Ethics and professional practice
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
4.2. Multicultural education
4.3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
4.5. Culture, diversity and inclusion
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
4.2. Multicultural education
4.3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
4.5. Culture, diversity and inclusion
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
5.3. Ethics and professional practice
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
5.3. Ethics and professional practice
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
4.2. Multicultural education
4.3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
4.5. Culture, diversity and inclusion
5.3. Ethics and professional practice
LO7
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
5.3. Ethics and professional practice

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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