Philosophical foundations of education
BC BT
Subject value 1.0 * 2 hours per week * Full-year subject * Gippsland * Prerequisites: Third-year BEd
In this subject students are asked to question, examine and analyse some of the key, underlying assumptions in education. In this manner students will come to see that, if education is to be a rational activity, then the concepts involved, the arguments for and the justifications of it need to be made explicit and coherent. Topics to be studied include an introduction to philosophical analysis; the concept of man; aims of education; the nature of knowledge; relation of knowledge to schooling and the curriculum; creativity; freedom and authority; teaching and indoctrination. The subject is taught by study guide material, selected readings, self-evaluation exercises, lectures and seminar-tutorial sessions designed to give students practice in thinking philosophically about educational issues.
Assessment
Exercise on philosophical analysis: 10% * Philosophical journal: 90% or examination: 100%
Prescribed texts
Lloyd D I (ed.) Philosophy and the teacher Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1976