Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The historical roots of educational thought are examined from a broad cultural perspective. Major works in disciplines such as philosophy, psychology and sociology which have had significant impact on educational theorizing will be studied. Special attention will be paid to the relationship between theory and educational practice.

COURSE DETAILS:

AIMS

To consider the major contributions to educational theory in their historical contexts, and to consider their persisting, and changing, influences on educational practices.

OUTLINE

Education today is a bricolage/pastiche/strange amalgam of key thoughts, historic movements, gentle evolutions from the past.  Ideas, understandings, ways of being percolate up and influence educators/learners, epistemologies, etc. and yet the change is never wholesale in nature, shadows of the past colour the present.  The purpose of this course is to focus our attention on some of these histories.  Particular interest is likely to focus upon those that are most influential on current practice, but that does not rule out exploring those that seem to have been set aside.  Students will be asked to engage in ongoing discussions that draw upon and challenge their own interests, practices, experiences, and, potentially, their self-deceptions.  There are no texts required, readings will be provided and developed throughout the course.  Some of these readings will be common and some will be particular to individuals.  The goal is to have a shared space that allows each of us to trace independent lines thought, build up sets of reading material, and grow our own research interests while also learning from and intersecting with the other members of the class.  The range is tremendous, the time is short, come prepared to dive in. The exact nature of course assignments will be discussed and negotiated in the first class.
Please note: given the peripatetic history of some the philosophical conversations we are going to have please come prepared to walk, leave the classroom, and continue activities and discussions apace on any given evening.

COURSE DETAILS

Wednesday Nights 16:30-21:20, SFU Harbourcentre, Room 3050 Please Note: Given the combined nature of these courses there will be some necessary scheduling conversations on the first evening.  It is likely that our time together for 901B will involve: a combination of some extended EDUC 901A Wednesday night meeting time (have booked the full five hours above), some online shared time, some one-on-one work with the instructor and possibly another meeting time to be negotiated on the first night of the course.  This means that we will likely not gather until 21:20 every Wednesday night (unless we want!).   

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: