Education: Pedagogical Leadership in Physical Education and Sport
MA, PGDip, PGCert

Modules

• Academic Paper and Conference Presentation Core

Academic Paper and Conference Presentation

(Core)

The aim of this module is to enable participants to evaluate a small scale research enquiry into contemporary educational issue within Physical Education or Sport and to communicate new knowledge through an academic paper of between 10,000 to 12,000 words. In this module, students explain their claims to new knowledge relating to researching and reporting on findings in the area of interest.

Assessment: Academic Paper reporting the outcomes of a research enquiry (10,000 - 12,000 words); Conference presentation (20 minutes)

• Physical Education and Sport Leadership: Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology of Pedagogy Core

Physical Education and Sport Leadership: Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology of Pedagogy

(Core)

This module will enable students to develop self-reflective skills through engagement with key theories and literature within Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology of Physical Education and Sport. Individuals will critique the instructional themes behind the term pedagogy. Specifically, students will critically review the structures of learning and teaching through and surrounding the paradigms of Physical Education and Sport. The module will challenge students to embed their theories of critical pedagogy within phenomenological and idealist epistemological development. Critical thinking practices will encourage individuals to reflect on and contextualise their learning environments and critique emerging issues related to them as pedagogical professionals.

Assessment: Reflective Journal (6,000 words)

• Research Methods for Professional Practice in Physical Education and Sport Core

Research Methods for Professional Practice in Physical Education and Sport

(Core)

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of epistemological enquiry and facilitate their acquisition of a systematic and coherent body of knowledge relating to research.  Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the underlying principles and concepts of planning and designing research studies, qualitative and quantitative research techniques, methods of data analysis, ethical considerations in research and skills in presenting research findings.

Assessment: Paper (6,000 words)

• Coaching and Mentoring: Pedagogy through Physical Education and Sport Option 1

Coaching and Mentoring: Pedagogy through Physical Education and Sport

(Option 1)

The aim of the module is for students to gain a rigorous understanding of practice, policy and pedagogical approaches to coaching from a leadership and sports perspective. The fundamental dispositions of coaching will be defined holistically and students will critically and analytically position themselves within practices that they have observed and created in their own settings, allowing theory to be contextualised and personalized. The module aims to use academic learning lens and pedagogical frameworks, such as Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) Situated Learning, 360-degree feedback and others within contemporary Physical Education and Sport practice in order to develop practitioner competency within the Physical Education and Sport social science paradigms.

Assessment: Case Study (4,000 words); Oral Presentation of observational analysis (20 minutes)

• Pedagogy: Educational Contexts and Issues within Teaching and Learning Option 1

Pedagogy: Educational Contexts and Issues within Teaching and Learning

(Option 1)

This module aims to challenge and develop students’ ability to critically review, develop and apply their knowledge, skills and understanding in Physical Education and Sport settings whilst considering current issues that are prevalent within a variety of pedagogical contexts. The principle aim of this module is to develop a critical appreciation of the link between pedagogy and perspectives associated with teaching and learning, with reference to Governmental influence on education.  Participants will reflect on their own practice and identify how external influences and factors may affect their practice within learning arenas. This module provides a critical appreciation of the issues impacting educational provision nationally and globally.

Assessment: Academic Paper (6,000 words)

• Sociology of Physical Education and Sport: Policy and Politics in Physical Education and Sport Option 1

Sociology of Physical Education and Sport: Policy and Politics in Physical Education and Sport

(Option 1)

This module will enable students to demonstrate original and critical analysis of multiple political perspectives, and Physical Education and Sports policy showing a deep insight into sociological and anthropological theories. Students will critically investigate the impact that current, historical and evolutionary policy has had upon the culture and practices of their own establishment, demonstrating high levels of independent judgment in relation to the potential implications of these. Building upon this, learners will establish a rigorous understanding and deep insights into the culture and climate, which informs and influences policy, allowing them to construct comprehensive arguments regarding policy reform.  Students will develop a critical understanding of the uses and misuses of Physical Education and Sport as a political tool, challenging the integrity of current practice.

Assessment: Essay (4,000 words); Oral Presentation of a Case Study (15 minutes)

• Coaching and Mentoring: Early Years to Adolescence, Physical Activity and Behaviour Option 2

Coaching and Mentoring: Early Years to Adolescence, Physical Activity and Behaviour

(Option 2)

This module enables students to develop a critical appreciation of the chronological developments of children and young adults, and how methods associated with coaching and mentoring can either enhance or hinder their sporting performance. Biological, sociological and psychological variables are rigorously scrutinised in order to extend the students ‘knowledge in these areas. Classical and contemporary theories associated with ‘play and performance’ are   reflected upon via theoretical and practical tasks throughout the module. Students are given the opportunity to work within their own settings using coaching and mentoring skills in way that illustrates specificity of practice and their creation of appropriate activities for that age domain.

Assessment: Reflective Journal (3,500 words); Oral Presentation (20 minutes)

• Pedagogy and Learning in Physical Education and Sport: Theory through Reflective Research Option 2

Pedagogy and Learning in Physical Education and Sport: Theory through Reflective Research

(Option 2)

The aim of this module is to enable students to critically engage with ideas and principles relating to the context of embedded theories surrounding research within Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. This module aims to challenge students’ criticality, reflections, creativity and flexibility in the application of how knowledge and skills in new research situations can assist in solving complex problems. 

Assessment: Case study (4,000 words); Reflective Journal (2,000 words)

• Sociology: Social Theory in Physical Education and Sport Option 2

Sociology: Social Theory in Physical Education and Sport

(Option 2)

This module enables students to develop a critical appreciation of a variety of classical and contemporary sociological theories, and an understanding of the principles of sociological thought and academic analysis. Students will critically explore the theoretical concepts of a number of influential social theories, examining the epistemological and ontological positions which underpin the logic of these theoretical perspectives. The module will challenge students to apply these contrasting theoretical perspectives in a variety of physical education and sporting contexts, whilst critically discussing the analytical utility of these perspectives as a means for scrutinising social behaviour at both the structural and agency level of sociological analysis. This module will therefore allow students to develop their powers of critical evaluation in relation to advanced theoretical concepts by encouraging students to assess the relative merits of contrasting approaches in the study of various social phenomena.

Assessment: Essay (4, 000 words); Presentation (15 minutes)