Outline

Overview

Investigation and analysis of: basic indicators of global poverty: key theories of poverty and international development and their implications for equity, social policy and education; 'Western' paradigms and their effects in 'non-Western' contexts; globalisation and alternatives to 'Westernisation'; education as a form of foreign aid and international development co-operation in multilateral, bilateral and non-government programs; multi-scalar and multi-sectoral approaches to poverty alleviation strategies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nada Labib, nada.labib@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Online discussion participation Online postings and peer responses	20%	Multiple weeks	1250 words between two posts / responses	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Overview Written assignment	10%	Week 03 Due date: 23 Aug 2026 at 23:59	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Essay Short written essay	20%	Week 09 Due date: 11 Oct 2026 at 23:59	1250 Words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Case Study Written work	50%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2026 at 23:59	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Online discussion activities – posts and peer responses related to prompts and topics provided

Overview – brief initial outline on main concepts

Essay – short essay on education and international development

Case Study – independent inquiry on a topic of students’ choice

*Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Basic Description
HD	85-100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard
D	75-84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
C	65-74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
P	50-64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
F	0-50	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
AF	N/A	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Ongoing	The course is designed to offer maximum flexibility to a combined Australia-based and international cohort. This includes a series of written assignments supported by activities and readings provided in the Study Guide and modules, which can be obtained through Canvas. We encourage meaningful participation in the discussion boards and peer exchange activities provided, and in whole group online meetings (dates/times are found on Canvas).	Self-directed learning (24 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

There are no face to face classes for this unit; online whole-group meetings are per Module and links are accessed via Canvas, and small-group or individual meetings for this unit are scheduled directly with the coordinator / lecturer.

Online discussion board postings and submissions of assignments are both assessed and required.

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

Lists of required readings are organised by Module in the Study Guide, which is available to download in Canvas. The readings are available through the Reading List, also in Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate critical understanding of major interpretive approaches to global poverty and education
LO2. demonstrate understanding of major issues in poverty, social policy and education
LO3. demonstrate critical interpretation of global poverty and education
LO4. demonstrate application of critical thinking and analysis skills and insights developed in a special investigation
LO5. demonstrate development of online community engagement skills
LO6. demonstrate development and application of advanced, independent scholarly research capacities and study skills
LO7. demonstrate development of high-level critical analysis and academic writing skills

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Updates have been made to the Canvas site, unit of study, content and assessments.

Additional information

The foundation of this unit of study is reflection on a series of guided course readings, presented in turn through four course Modules set out in Canvas and in the unit Study Guide, that should be dowloaded in Canvas. Please familiarise yourself with its contents and structure ahead of starting the course. The Study Guide is a set of comments, questions and exercises designed to steer and support you through the learning process, complemented with individual consultations and whole-group meetings with peers.

We strongly recommend that you read the required material in the order suggested, and tackle the commentaries and exercises step by step, again in the order suggested. This is because the unit builds upon stages of work.

You will see that there are several exercises to do in response to particular readings. They are to guide your own thinking. We also require you to use the Canvas website for this unit to share your questions and ideas as you move through the modules. There are three pieces of assessed written work, one each associated with Modules 1, 4 and 5, in addition to online discussion postings and peer responses, that you are required to submit for marking, associated with Modules 2 and 3.

Additional costs

N/A

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Work, health and safety

N/A

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDPB5016: Global Education and Equity

Semester 2, 2026 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links