Philosophical foundations of education
Dr J C P Edwards
6 points
* 2 hours per week
* Full-year subject
* Gippsland
* Prerequisites: Third-year BEd
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have a working knowledge of the main areas of philosophical interest, viz. logic, epistemology, metaphysics and ethics so that they can apply the skills learned from doing that to questioning, examining and analysing some of the key underlying assumptions in education; understand that, if education is to be a rational undertaking, then the concepts involved, the arguments for and justifications of it need to be made explicit and coherent; not only philosophise about education in general but be able to explore ways in which the discipline can have a practical, concrete presence in their own teaching.
Synopsis 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 or examination: 90%
Prescribed texts
Lloyd D I (ed.) Philosophy and the teacher Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1976
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