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This course is designed to specifically address current interest in emotions and emotional intelligence in teaching, learning and leadership. Current research findings and interdisciplinary theories of emotion will be explored, discussed, critiqued and applied as relevant to the overall bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand, and situated within the individual contexts of the participants. Participants will engage with and adapt a research-informed theory of emotional intelligence that has been applied in international research, in ways that are relevant to their daily lives, and /or support their pedagogical or relevant professional practice. This course will be of interest not only to teachers, educators, and leaders, but also to managers, coaches, human resource professionals, psychologists, parents, students and anyone who is interested in understanding emotions in themselves and others.
WHY EMOTIONS?Emotions matter. Emotions serve important functions in our daily lives. They underpin our decision-making, our learning, creativity and relationships, our personal wellbeing, resilience and ability to cope with change. In daily life, emotions communicate information about our own and others’ thoughts, goals and behaviours. Emotions fill the interpersonal and cultural spaces between people. Teaching is arguably an “emotional practice” with emotions at the “heart of teaching” (Hargreaves, 1998, p.835).WHAT IS THIS COURSE LIKE? Students who attended this course over the past ten summer schools have consistently rated it highly overall. Feedback comments include: “Very worthwhile”; “An extremely valuable course which should be a must for all practicing and aspiring teachers/educators/leaders”; “It is life changing! I can’t rave enough about it”; “Great course: Should be compulsory”: “Thanks for running this course. It should be compulsory”; “Do it!”.WHEN CAN I START?As soon as you are able to access Learn when you are enrolled, you can start browsing the Learn site for EDME408. You will find a set of interesting Introductory Activities that contribute to your assessment tasks as well.Withdrawal DatesLast Day to withdraw from this course: • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 23 November 2025• Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 January 2026
By the end of this course students will be able to:1. Analyse, discuss and critically evaluate key theories of emotion, including Māori perspectives.2. Critically evaluate current research and key literature related to emotion, emotional intelligence theory, emotional literacy, emotion regulation, social emotional learning (SEL) and wellbeing, including Māori perspectives.3. Explore the relevance of SEL, emotion and emotional intelligence theories to culturally responsive practices.4. Evaluate, describe and apply one or more relevant research-informed model/s of emotion and emotional intelligence development to their individual context/s.5. Explore the connections between SEL and key Pasifika cultural values and the impact on education/learning.
Subject to approval of the Head of School
EDEM608
The course will officially commence online from Monday 10th November, 2025, with our first Zoom meeting scheduled for Tuesday 11th November from 5.00 – 7:00pm. Proposed Zoom Lecture Meeting Schedule Tuesdays 5:00 - 7:00pm as follows:11 November, 2025 18 November, 2025 25 November, 202509 December, 2025December Summer School Lectures end 14 December 2025UC Christmas Break Thursday 24 Dec 2025 to Friday 2 Jan 2026Summer School Lectures Resume 5 January 2026Summer School Lectures End Thursday 5th February 2026.Proposed Zoom Lecture Meeting Schedule for January 2026:Tuesdays 5:00 – 7:00 pm as follows, to be confirmed:06 January, 2026 20 January, 202627 January, 2026All zoom meetings will be recorded and made available to all participants
Veronica O'Toole
Kris LaVenia
All required readings will be provided through Learn.Library Reference Texts – OptionalBrackett, M. (2019) Permission to Feel. New York: Celadon Books Corcoran R. & Toomey, R. (2011) Developing emotionally competent teachers: emotional intelligence and pre-service teacher education. Bern, Switzerland: Peter Lang. Keltner, D. Oatley, K. & Jenkins, J. M. (2014) Understanding emotions (3rd Ed.) Wiley, 2018.Lazarus, R. S. (1991;1994;). Emotion and adaptation. Oxford University Press This book will also be available electronically to enrolled students, through the UC Library.Strongman, K.T. (2003). The psychology of emotion: From everyday life to theory (2nd Ed). Chichester, Sussex: J. Wiley & Sons
Domestic fee $2,169.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Leadership and Professional Practice .