Exploring the curricula of extension education at some European Universities

Abstract

The paper is based on a study that seeks to map out how extension education is taught at some European universities. The study started with the following question: What is the essence of extension education as a body of knowledge? A questionnaire was sent to 15 university departments that offered studies in extension education. The purpose was to 1) learn about the curricula and theoretical frameworks used in teaching 2) find out current research issues and 3) to note the institutional links to the extension and advisory systems in each country. The paper outlines the main trends in the academic curricula.

The impression from the responses is that there has been a change in the structure and arrangement of the courses as well as in the focus of the theoretical content of the educational programmes. However, it was not possible to investigate how and why the curriculum has changed over time. Two major lines of development, which do not exclude each other, can be detected: 1) departments in which educational programmes have remained ‘loyal’ to the agricultural and rural development context, 2) those that have expanded into other areas that have some connection with agricultural development or none at all. In the first case there are intensive links to agricultural extension organisations and the training of their staff. In the second, the curriculum may be arranged in such a way that it would suit education for any occupation. Extension education is offered as an optional line of study specialisation and a part of the undergraduate or postgraduate degree. When asked about the research, the interests and issues were in line with the spirit and type of the educational programmes, either supporting the teaching or connected to the extension system's activities and practical needs. The larger departments have had resources to produce extensive literature and research reports, which are also used internationally.

Notes

Extension Education, Department of Economics and Management, P.O. Box 27, FIN‐00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. E‐mail [email protected]