Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - EDUC 230 D100

Introduction to Philosophy of Education (3)

Class Number: 6498

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 18, 2024
    Thu, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides prospective teachers and others interested in education an opportunity to examine a variety of educational problems from a philosophical perspective. The central concern of the course is to elucidate the nature of education as a phenomenon distinct from such activities as training, schooling, and socialization. May be applied towards the certificate in liberal arts. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course presents major topics in philosophy of education. Examples include: What is education? What are aims and goals of education? What do we do to educate? Why does philosophy of education matter? Why should philosophy of education concern you? Is ‘schooling’ the same as ‘education’? These are the kinds of questions (and further questions generated by these questions) that we will engage and grapple with throughout the course. To this end, we will explore and examine themes that make up philosophical inquiry in education, such as: centrality of meaning; self and otherness; subjectivity, intersubjectivity, objectivity; individuality and collectivity; dialogical and contemplative ways; freedom and responsibility; awareness, reflexivity, empathy, attunement; change and transformation; ethics and morality; educated person; conceptions of knowledge; care and justice; emotionality and relationality; process and content; dualistic thinking and spectral thinking, etc.his course presents major topics in philosophy of education. Examples include: What is education? What are aims and goals of education? What do we do to educate? Why does philosophy of education matter? Why should philosophy of education concern you? Is ‘schooling’ the same as ‘education’? These are the kinds of questions (and further questions generated by these questions) that we will engage and grapple with throughout the course. To this end, we will explore and examine themes that make up philosophical inquiry in education, such as: centrality of meaning; self and otherness; subjectivity, intersubjectivity, objectivity; individuality and collectivity; dialogical and contemplative ways; freedom and responsibility; awareness, reflexivity, empathy, attunement; change and transformation; ethics and morality; educated person; conceptions of knowledge; care and justice; emotionality and relationality; process and content; dualistic thinking and spectral thinking, etc.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The coursework aims at cultivating:

  • awareness and self-reflection;
  • relational thinking, feeling, and sensing of others;
  • perspectival and wholistic ways;
  • collaboration and dialogue in a community of inquiry;
  • classroom community development;
  • communication competencies, written and spoken;
  • creativity and criticality;
  • confidence, empathy, attunement.

Grading

  • Weekly in-class writing that will be further processed and organized (details to follow in-class) 50%
  • Collaborative projects (details to follow in-class) 50%

NOTES:

No final exam

REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance is mandatory; in-person participation is required; assignments/tasks submission dates will be communicated in-class.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

No textbooks to purchase as reading and video materials will be supplied directly to students.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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