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Unit of study_

EDEC4010: Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Early childhood teachers are potentially leaders in the sector. Leadership requires social and political awareness, and confidence to access and critique current philosophical, political and educational trends. Early childhood teachers also have a professional responsibility to advocate for the development and well-being of young children and families, the advancement of the profession, and for government policies that support a system of equitable, quality early childhood education. To prepare for these responsibilities students will critically analyse national and international approaches to early childhood education, and explore conceptualisations of advocacy and activism in action.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDEC4010
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
144 credit points including EDEC3010
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
Small test Case study scenarios
In-class test. Must be submitted to pass the unit.
40% Mid-semester break
Due date: 27 Sep 2021 at 10:00
2.5 hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment International comparative policy approaches to early childhood education
Presentation. Must complete to pass the unit.
30% Week -04
Due date: 30 Aug 2021 at 10:00
20 mins (2000 wd equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Advocacy piece
Submitted work. Must submit to pass the unit.
30% Week 08
Due date: 04 Oct 2021 at 23:59
2000 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Details for each assessment task can be found in 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than 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
Week 01 Unit overview + Government provisions Seminar (3 hr) LO1
Early childhood education: The socio-political context Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Early childhood policy: Current issues Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Early childhood policy: International comparisons (Assessment task 1) Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Advocacy leadership I: Introduction and theoretical perspectives Seminar (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 04 Advocacy leadership II: Research and educator perspectives Seminar (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 05 Advocacy leadership III: Skills, practices and opportunities Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Case study scenarios (Assessment 2) Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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

All required readings will be available in Reading List in Canvas.

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. Source government provisions that can be used to support teaching, management and leadership practices, and enhance the wellbeing of young children and their families
  • LO2. Draw on theory and research to critically read social policy
  • LO3. Critically engage with the ever changing socio-political context within which early childhood education services operate
  • LO4. Appreciate the professional and ethical responsibility that early childhood teachers have to practice as advocacy leaders
  • LO5. Practice as advocacy leaders in centre, community and wider socio-political contexts

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
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.4. Advocacy
6.5. Research
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.4. Advocacy
6.5. Research
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.3. Professional identity and development
6.4. Advocacy
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.3. Professional identity and development
6.4. Advocacy
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.3. Professional identity and development
6.4. Advocacy
6.5. Research

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

Assignment weightings have been slightly adjusted since this unit was last 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.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.