1
WHAT IS CURRICULUM? B R A D G O B BY
Introduction
SA M
PL
E
O
N LY
Why did you choose to become an educator? How has your experience of schooling influenced your view of learning and schooling and the kind of educator you will become?
O
XF
O
RD
U
N IV
ER S
IT
Y
PR ES S
The Latin origin of the word ‘curriculum’ refers to ‘the course of a race’ or ‘track’, which is derived from the Latin word currere, meaning ‘to run’. Adopted and used in an educational sense from the 1500s, ‘curriculum’ commonly refers to a formalised course of study or plan of learning. This chapter expands upon this commonplace understanding of curriculum as a plan of learning or syllabus of content to be taught to learners. It outlines different uses of the term in the field of education, although those described do not make up a comprehensive list of its meanings and uses. The chapter encourages you to think about the relationships between education, curriculum and power. It begins with two stories to provoke your thinking about curriculum and education.
KEY TERMS » culture
» funds of knowledge
» null curriculum
» emergent curriculum
» hidden curriculum
» pedagogy
» enacted curriculum
» institutions
» politics
» formal education
» intended curriculum
» power
» funds of identity
» lived curriculum
» society
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
GOB_POC_33843_TXT_PPS_NG.indb 2
26-Feb-22 08:41:21