Module 102 Education, Schools and Society Continuous Assessment Brief 2026

Module 102 Education, Schools and Society Continuous Assessment Brief

Assessment type: Academic Essay

Learning Outcomes

In completing the assessment task, students are required to demonstrate their ability to:

• Evaluate the theoretical foundations of sociology and understand the underpinnings of sociology of education within the Irish school’s context.
• Analyse and apply the principles of contemporary sociological thought to our teachings within the school’s system.
• Develop critical reflection and gain an understanding of the complexities and challenges that face educational institutions.
• Examine and summarise the relationships between relevant schools’ stakeholders and teachers in Ireland today.

Assessment Methodology

This module is assessed by academic essay (100%). Students are required to complete an essay to demonstrate their achievement of the learning outcomes in respect of this module.

Assessment Task

One Artefact as presented below.

Marking Scheme

Submission Date: 3.00pm Wednesday 22^nd July 2026

(CA Artefact, and breakdown of marks for each section): Education, Schools and Society (100 marks total)

Please choose one question, or the other (do not complete both)  

Artefact Academic Essay (90 marks):   

1. Building on the Education, Schools and Society module, critically evaluate the topic of inclusion within Irish post-primary education. In doing so, you should select one key theme from the webinars and on-demand content within your essay. You should also include the work of at least two social theorists in your answer, and address how the work of these theorists relates to educational practice.

OR

2. ‘There is no way out of the game of culture…’ (Bourdieu, 1984, p.12).

Considering the quotation, address the work of both Bourdieu and Bernstein in understanding multiple elements concerning the cultural production and reproduction of educational inequalities within the Irish post-primary school system.

Academic Essay (90 marks)

• The Academic Essay must be 2,500 words (+/- 10%).
• The Academic Essay must clearly draw on content from the Education, Schools and Society module.
• Provide at least five academic, peer reviewed, and scholarly references from various published sources. The references MUST be included in a reference list that you will provide at the end of each writing task.
• You must adhere to the Hibernia College adapted Harvard Referencing style guide for proper referencing. The referencing guide can be accessed through the library website or clicking on Hibernia College Referencing Guide

Academic Writing (10 marks)

Marks will be awarded for the quality of scholarly Academic Writing.

• The critical essay should be written in a formal academic tone using standard English.
• Present all work showing a good level of English with minimal errors.

Cognisance will also be taken of:

• Accuracy in spelling and punctuation, grammar and syntax
• Clarity of thought and structure
• Evidence of reading/research
• Correct citations and referencing. Please refer to Hibernia College’s Academic Writing Toolkit on MyHELMS and the Hibernia College Referencing Guide, both for citations and for referencing.

Submission Date: 3.00pm, Wednesday 22^nd July 2026

End of Continuous Assessment Brief