Useful links
Unit of study_
EDPU5002: Critical Issues in Education
2026 unit information
This unit critically examines the social, political, and economic contexts of education to explore key issues concerning difference and inequality, building on a foundational understanding of Country through Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples’ histories, cultures and communities, to connect students to their learning journey in the Australian context. Students explore diverse socio-cultural understandings of education and critically analyse various positionalities including Indigenous and decolonial standpoints, to consider power, privilege and social justice and developing strength-based approaches to invoke culturally responsive and respectful educational environments.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Education |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
None |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Critically examine key social, political and economic implications of education to understand difference and inequality in education
- LO2. Understand the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ as the first educators in this country, and what this means for contemporary education
- LO3. Explore key conceptual frameworks in education, including strengths, limitations and appropriateness
- LO4. Critically analyse diverse knowledges, including inherent assumptions, power dynamics, privilege and equity in educational outcomes
- LO5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diversity in families and communities, and the way in which educational structures include/exclude certain groups
- LO6. Reflect on the knowledges, skills and commitments required to provide culturally responsive, safe, dignified and respectful educational environments
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2026
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
|
Semester 2 2026
|
Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
There are no availabilities for previous years.
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
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.