Lifelong learning, politics and governance

The main focus of the course is lifelong learning as a topic of national and international policy and governance. Concepts and theories of governance and power (bureaucracy theory, new public management, governance and governmentality) provide perspectives on how policies aimed at adult learning and lifelong learning are formed and translated into practice. Historical developments in the political rationale for adult learning, and how this is expressed in Norwegian educational reforms from the Adult Educational Act (Voksenopplæringsloven) of 1976 and up to the present days has a central place. Among other things, adults’ opportunities in the educational system are problematized through Reform 94, the Competence Reform (1997), the Knowledge Promotion and the new Competence reform (2020) will be discussed. Policy and governance of adults and lifelong learning create frameworks that contain expectations of educational and learning behavior in both the education system and working life, that this course is intended to highlight.

After completing the course, the student is expected:

• to have knowledge of political processes and perspectives of education policy which is relevant for adult learning and lifelong learning.
• to have knowledge of how Norwegian educational reforms and changes have shaped lifelong learning and adult learning, in an international context.
• to have knowledge of theories and forms of governance and how this is expressed in a practical context.
• to be able to apply theoretical perspectives and concepts and discuss relevant political initiatives.
• to have a general understanding of political forms of governance and how these are expressed in practice

Sessionbased-teaching. Lectures, seminars. Please refer to NTNU’s learning platform for detailed information about mandatory activities at the start of the semester.