Philosophical Foundations of Education

Offerings:
Course GEDU 700

Catalog Description:

General Education course descriptions in the USF General Catalog online.

Objectives or Outcomes:

  1. Identify the different schools of philosophy through history that have influenced American education.
  2. Analyze the ontological, epistemological, and axiological approaches used by different educational philosophies.
  3. Present a critical analysis of a chosen educational philosopher from ancient, medieval, modern, or postmodern periods.
  4. Develop or improve computer skills needed to research in educational philosophy.
  5. Analyze and critique different educational philosophies operative in the current context of American education.
  6. Write a research theme chosen from among topics central to the development of educational philosophy.

Course Topics:

  1. Issues and Concepts
  2. Idealism
  3. Realism
  4. Eastern Philosophies/Religions
  5. Pragmatism & Reconstructionism
  6. Behaviorism
  7. Existentialism & Phenomenology
  8. Analytic Philosophy & Marxism
  9. Postmodernism

Criteria of Evaluation:

  • Take and pass a learning assessment given at session.
  • Write research paper on a particular philosophy of education.
  • Oral presentation on a philosopher from the ancient, medieval, modern, or postmodern periods in regard to education.
  • Participation in small and large group discussions

Required Books and Media:

Ozmon, H. A., and Craver, S. M. (2003). Philosophical foundations of education (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall [Merrill].

Wilson, J. (1963). Thinking with concepts. Cambridge: University Press.