The construction of education as an area of study at Murdoch University : 1974-2003

• Published in: The Australian journal of teacher education Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 56 - 67
• Main Authors: Gardiner, Di, O'Donoghue, Tom, O'Neill, Marnie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Edith Cowan University 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Academic education; Australia; Claremont Teachers' College (WA); College Role; Colleges of advanced education; Educational Development; Educational History; Foreign Countries; Higher education; Hill (B); Influences; Murdoch University. School of Education; North America; Preservice teacher education; Program design; Program development; Program implementation; Schools of Education; Teacher education curriculum; Teacher education programs; Universities; University history; University of Western Australia; Vocational education; Vocational education and training; Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT); Australia; Perth (WA); Western Australia; North America
• ISSN: 0313-5373; 1835-517X; 1835-517X
• DOI: 10.14221/ajte.2010v35n6.4

This paper is concerned with the extent to which both structural and agency factors were at play in the establishment and maintenance of an innovative model of Education Studies at Murdoch University in Western Australia, from the mid-1970s to 2003. Regarding structural factors, the fact that the university was established as one of a number of 'new' universities on the national scene, with a brief to break out of the curricular traditions of the established universities, meant that there was latitude for the adoption of new curriculum structures in outlining the parameters of Education Studies. However, it required the agency of Brian Hill, the Foundation Professor of Education, to make this happen. The paper outlines how the nature of the model that eventuated was largely a transfer of models which Hill witnessed both in North America and within Australia and which he adapted to local conditions, seeking in the process to bring about what he considered to be an improved composite version based on his professional experience in a number of universities. [Author abstract]