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EDUC6293

Contemporary and Historical Controversy in the Philosophy of Education

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Not available in 2013

Previously offered in 2011

In this course students will be introduced to a selected history of philosophical thought in education and connected contemporary debates relating to perennial philosophical problems, the conceptualisation of pedagogies in a variety of fields, contested roles of the state, institutions and teachers in society and a range of interpretations of the nature and purposes of education.

Objectives This course provides students with the opportunity to:
1. discuss a range of philosophical approaches to perennial educational issues;
2. critically engage in debate around the roles of educators and schooling institutions in society and the contested nature, purpose or aims of education;
3. articulate a coherent philosophical analysis of a conceptual problem in education; and
4. demonstrate cogent reasoning and understanding of philosophical questioning and problems in education.
Content The following questions are foundational to the content of the course:
* What should be the aims or purposes of education?
* What does it mean to become educated or to have educational experiences?
* What are the relationships between notions of pedagogy, the self, language, world and knowledge to educational value?
* What roles should the state, society, teachers and learners play in education?
The course examines the following perspectives on the questions above:
* The Ancients', education and human flourishing (eudaimonia)
* Enlightenment education and social engineering
* Democracy, pragmatism and progressive education
* Continental philosophies and notions of bildung (the holistic shaping of persons)
* Critical contributions from gendered and post-colonial perspectives and philosophies of difference
Replacing Course(s) NA
Transition NA
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge NA
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Self Directed Learning
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments Assessment Item 2 50%
A 2500 word critical position paper articulating an educational debate with reference to contemporary and historical philosophy.
Essays / Written Assignments Assessment Item 1 50%
A 2500 word conceptual analysis of a relevant question in the philosophy of education dialoguing with historical perspectives.
Contact Hours Seminar: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term