Course Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Module ELP511 is to study the basic organizational theories and to examine in depth the new principles of educational management. It also tends to explore the extensions and the applications of these theories in schools, educational organizations and systems. The Thematic Unit deals with subjects such as historical and theoretical foundations of educational management, the school as an open social system, internal and external factors that influence the structural, cultural, political and human elements of educational models, introduction to leadership theories, and decision-making theories. The students are expected to be able to reflect and be challenged in relation to applications, deep thinking, study and analysis of the current educational issues on educational leadership, management and administration and to search for theoretical as well as practical solutions.

More specifically students are expected to:

• Develop a broad understanding of the educational system as a significant sub-system of the social system and to identify the dynamic environment in which an educational organization and system exists.
• Explore and analyze the different models under which educational institutions and their bureaucracies are organized.
• Identify the role of the scientist/professional in educational institutions and system bureaucracies.
• Acquire a broad knowledge on issues such as leadership, organizational climate and decision making processes in educational organizations.

Course Content

• Describe and analyse issues such as leadership, organizational climate and decision-making process in educational organizations.
• Develop a broad understanding of the educational system as a significant sub-system of the social system and to identify the dynamic environment in which an educational organization and system exists.
• Explore and analyse the different models of educational institutions and system bureaucracies.
• Identify the role of the scientist/professional in educational institute and system bureaucracies.
• Understand and compare significant meanings and theories from the theory and praxis within the field of educational leadership and management.
• Apply educational leadership theories in order to solve applied management and administration problems.
• Evaluate on an evidence-basis the quality and effectiveness of the organizational and administrative structures, perceptions and practices that are in place in a specific educational organization or system.