Critical Orientations to School Leadership

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
EDUC 6018
Course ID icon
Course ID
203637
Campus icon
Campus
Mawson Lakes, Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Education
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Simon Leonard
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
Discipline group A
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

In Critical orientations to school leadership, you are invited to bring dispositions of curiosity, critique and problematisation to an analysis of the power relations, policy discourses and identity constructions that shape and constitute school leaders and their work. Contextually, the course is based around a critical analysis of neoliberalism as a currently dominant rationality and influence on schooling policy. While the work of analysis aims to support you in mounting a defensible critique of current arrangements, it is also directed to the knowledge possibilities yielded by this critique. These including developing alternative models and ways of leading, building a broader and more responsive pedagogical repertoire, and considering new and more democratic processes of teacher/leader participation and decision making.

  • Bringing Criticality To Leadership
  • In Neoliberal Times
  • Leadership And Pedagogical Practice

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand and apply a critically oriented approach to the study of school leadership
  • Demonstrate the dispositions and practices of a critical scholar
  • Analyse the way education policy reflects currently dominant rationalities of government
  • Critically analyse contemporary policy issues affecting school leadership
  • Understand the links between a critical orientation in the study of school leadership and school-based projects of positive reform

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Mawson Lakes

Class number
Class number 21892
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 27
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 12 Mar Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
26 Mar - 9 Apr Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05
7 May - 28 May Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Mawson Lakes Building J, J1-05

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 21893
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 9 Mar Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S336A-B
23 Mar - 6 Apr Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S336A-B
4 May - 25 May Monday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S336A-B

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.