Stockholm university
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Challenges for Special Education in a School for All

How can you as a teacher identify and respond to the diverse educational needs of children and pupils, including those with special educational needs? The aim of the course is to provide you with an understanding of special education, from both a practical and academic perspective.

Sommarkurs i specialpedagogik 2020
Foto: Niklas Björling

The course addresses different perspectives regarding the perception of special educational needs, both theoretically and historically. In doing so, the course highlights the significance of policy regarding learning and inclusion on an international and national level. The course discusses concepts such as inclusion, participation, accessibility and support in relation to schools and teachers’ responsibility to provide pupils’ with adequate conditions for learning. 

Based on special education as an interdisciplinary subject, the course highlights the historical view of special educational support and current educational practices, such as digital environments. Furthermore, the course provides in-depth knowledge of how to identify special educational needs, including neurodevelopmental difficulties, as well as ways to adapt the teaching in collaboration with the children or pupils, guardians, fellow teachers, and other professional groups. During the course, you will also discuss and reflect on teachers’ responsibility for adapting the teaching, as well as special educational dilemmas that may follow.  
 

  • Course structure

    The teaching comprises lectures, seminars, assignments, and assigned group work. In order to pass the examination, students are expected to actively participate in all teaching formats. Attending the lectures and seminars are compulsory. Absence can be compensated for by completing a written assignment.  

    The course consist of three blocks, each of which has assigned reading and exercises aimed to assist your learning process. The seminars and group work are opportunities for you as students to discuss the complexity of special educational issues that the course deals with. 
     

    Teaching format

    The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, assignments, literature studies, and a group work assignment. Teaching takes place on campus and via digital platforms, such as Zoom and Athena. 


    The aim of the teaching, assignments, and the student’s participation in the group work, is to contribute to an in-depth understanding of the concepts and perspectives in the course literature. The assignments and assigned reading will be available on Athena. 


    The group work is an important element of the course. Together with the others in your group, you will discuss the lectures and readings in order to prepare you for your group assignment. You as a student are responsible for having done the required reading, and for actively participating in the discussions during lectures and seminars. 
     

    Assessment

    Attending the lectures and seminars are mandatory. 
    Absence can be compensated for by completing an additional written assignment.  

    Examination of the course includes: 
    •    A written individual assignment.
    •    An oral and written presentation of a group assignment.


    Dates for the examination and re-take exam will be included in the course schedule in TimeEdit. 
     

    Examiner

    Khaleda Gani Dutt

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
  • More information

    Practical information

    Visit Checklist for new students for information about

    • how to access your university account and how to order a university card
    • registration
    • digital tools and services (including the teaching platform Athena)

    For IT-support, please visit IT-support

    For information about the communication platform Zoom, please visit Serviceportalen.

    Register online 

    The registration is open 3-9th January 2023 in Ladok.
    Please note that you will lose you place on the course if you fail to register by the 9th January 2023. No exceptions will be made.

  • Contact

    Course teacher
    If you have questions about the course content or structure, please contact the course teacher: 
    Khaleda Gani Dutt: khaleda-gani.dutt@specped.su.se

    Course administrator
    For questions regarding registration, course groups, or the teaching platform Athena, please contact the course administrator:
    Elsa Thomas: fristaendekurs@specped.su.se

    Student counselling
    For questions concerning pedagogic support during your studies, or if you wish to discuss your future studies, please contact our student councilor: 
    Maria-Letizia Priscilli: studievagledare@specped.su.se