Philosophy for children
Associate Professor C W Evers
First semester * Clayton
The development of reasoning skills in children has always been an important aim of education. Learning about particular subject matters, for example mathematics or social studies, is one way of contributing to the acquisition of critical thinking skills. Programs in language and expression provide further scope for focusing on reasoning. This subject examines some of the practical and theoretical issues involved in using philosophy as a basis for teaching skills in thinking to children in schools. Theoretical issues include questions about the nature of philosophy, its relevance to children's thought, and the development of philosophical ideas and understandings. Practical issues include questions about how philosophy may be taught to children, how it can contribute to the development of reason, what curriculum materials are available and how they can best be used. Materials and methods developed and trialled by the Australian Institute of Philosophy for Children will also be demonstrated and evaluated.
Assessment
Written (two 2000-word assignments) * Seminar presentation
Recommended texts
Lipman M Philosophy goes to school Temple UP, 1988
Lipman M Thinking in education Cambridge UP, 1991
Karmiloff-Smith A Beyond modularity MIT Press, 1992