EDUC 5021: Philosophy and History of Education
NOTE: To register for this course, please email edgradadvising@tru.ca or call 250-377-6067.
What education is, what purposes it serves, and how it is structured is closely entwined with ideas of what a society is and how it functions. Students engage in an introduction to key educational philosophers and considers their impacts on the history of education.
Learning outcomes
- Identify the social and philosophical theories of society and consider the implication of these theories in education.
- Discuss the evolving structures and priorities within education as part of a much larger picture.
- Identify and analyze historic contexts including Indigenous and global views, and shifting values in society, from which various social and philosophical theories originate.
- Describe the relevance of philosophy and history of education in the practice of education.
- Articulate a relevant understanding of a variety of philosophical and social theorists and contexts including Indigenous and global views, that have played a role in the evolving nature of society.
- Situate your own instructional experience in the context of educational philosophies.
Course topics
- Week 1: Personal Lenses Define Philosophy—Creating an Ethical Space
- Week 2: Indigenous Philosophies of Education and Epistemologies
- Week 3: Idealism in Education
- Week 4: Realism in Education
- Week 5: Existentialism in Education
- Week 6: Naturalism in Education
- Week 7: Pragmatism and Progressivism in Education
- Week 8: Perennialism in Education
- Week 9: Liberalism in Education
- Week 10: Humanism in Education
- Week 11: Constructivism in Education
- Week 12: Social Reconstructionism and Critical, Feminist Pedagogy in Education
Required text and materials
Online MEd students are responsible for sourcing and/or ordering their own books. Please see the list of required textbooks here: https://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/MEd_Textbook_List.pdf Students may be able to order the text through the TRU Bookstore at http://thebookstore.tru.ca/.
If students have any questions about obtaining the correct textbook, please contact OLMaterials@tru.ca.
Assessments
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 70% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory project.
| Assignment 1: Group Forum Discussions | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Personal Philosophy Journal 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 3: Interpreting a Primary Text | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Personal Philosophy Journal 2 | 15% |
| Assignment 5: Group Forum Discussions | 10% |
| Mandatory Final Project: Personal Philosophy of Education | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
