SDM622: Access and Participation of Adults in Education

The Module aims to familiarise students with different theories of participation in education and training and policies for the promotion of participation of adult learners in the educational process. The weekly units initially map the principal theoretical discussions on motivations, access and obstacles to participation in education and training by mainly drawing from texts and authors whose work directly focuses on adult education. The Module attempts to encourage a critical analysis by adding a sociological lens to explanations of participation and non-participation of adult learners in educational activities. Giving emphasis to the dimensions of social class, gender and race the respective weekly units engage with a critical discussion of the inequalities, the gender and racial hierarchies and exclusionary policies and practices that shape the existing dynamics of participation of adult learners in education.