Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - EDUC 922 G001

Advanced Seminar in Epistemology and Education (3)

Class Number: 1252

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An in-depth study of epistemological issues in education, including: concepts of perception, cognition, imagination, memory, understanding, learning and the assessment of learning. Other questions dealt with are: What are the various forms of knowledge? What are the implications for core curriculum? What epistemological assumptions underlie current educational practices? Is the relativity of knowledge thesis defensible? Are the claims of sociology of knowledge sound? What is meant by: objectivity/knowledge/belief/truth? In what sense can 'rationality' be defended as a central educational objective? Students with credit for EDUC 836 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will take a broad approach to understanding epistemology in relationship with ethics and ontology. In the process, we will inquire into various aspects of our knowledge claims, including, but not limited to, subjectivity, objectivity, intersubjectivity, un/consciousness, emotion, motivation, wisdom, and so on.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Seminar participants will be encouraged to apply what we explore in this course to their own research and/or dissertation projects.

Grading

  • Written work 50%
  • Peer review work 25%
  • Spoken work 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reading materials will be made available directly to students by the instructor.

REQUIRED READING:

We will read from a variety of papers and book chapters by authors, such as, Gregory Bateson, Umberto Maturana, Francisco Varela, E. Thompson, Freya Matthews, Mary Midgely, et al.

Reading materials will be made available directly to students by the instructor.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS