University of Helsinki
EDISO (Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences with an emphasis on Diversities and Social Justice)
Starting 2016 – more info soon!
The current tensions between different ideologies urge us to find solutions to global conflicts and misunderstandings. Education is an important key to these issues. This programme deals with the intercultural, historical, social, political and economic processes that make diversities and social justice matter in formal and informal education. The programme also questions the meaning of inequality and reflects on the kinds of education, skills and knowledge that are needed to combat this ‘wicked problem’. How can educators problematise and respond to it in a global, hyper-mobile and yet divided world? How can we make sure that the gaps between the haves and have-nots, the privileged and disadvantaged, the insiders and outsiders do not widen? How can we make the idea of ‘education for all’ a reality?
This two-year MA-programme offers theoretical, methodological and practical tools to students interested in the future of education especially in relation to the diversification of populations, mobility and migration, needs for stronger social justice/participation, equality and equity and the promotion of sustainability. While grounded in the Finnish and Nordic contexts of education, whose core values include equality and equity, and social justice, the programme proposes both local and global perspectives on past, current and future changes in education. Students will be able to think reflexively and have a better ability to question their own and widely shared assumptions that influence their way of thinking and acting. They will also develop a deeper understanding of how differences such as gender, class, ethnicity/race, sexuality, disability, religious and non-religious worldviews can intersect with social justice in education.
The programme also actively promotes cooperation with various educational actors locally and globally so that the students can observe and critically analyze the processes that result in hierarchical differences between people as well as prepare them to make change together with people across the lines of difference. The Master’s can lead to pursue a career in education, research, educational leadership, policy-making, consulting, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The students might also find career opportunities in journalism, mediation, and business (education entrepreneurship). Concrete examples of job openings after completing the programme include education planner, policy maker, inclusion and equality specialist, curriculum development specialist, international consultant/education coach, diversity officer, diversity recruitment specialist.