Philosophy of Education Syllabus

 

 

Philosophy 370L

Fall 2005

 

Rex Gilliland                                                                            

Office: Engleman D210                                                

Office Hours: MW 3:15 – 4:30 pm, TTh 12:15 – 1:30 pm, and by appointment.

Phone: 392-6783                                                                                            

Email: gillilandr1@southernct.edu                                                                

 

 

Course Description: Is the standardization of subject matter, teaching methods, and testing procedures the best method for furthering our educational objectives? Does a productive learning environment require sensitivity to the needs and abilities of the particular students, as well as the talents of the individual instructor? What social and political forces influence the success of instructors and students? In this course, we will examine the views of philosophers such as Plato, Rousseau, Kant, and Dewey on the proper aims and practices of education in order to clarify the central concepts and issues found in contemporary debates in educational theory, concerning matters such as standardized testing, distance education and the use of technology, and public funding of private educational institutions.

 

 

Text:   Steven M. Cahn, Classic and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Education (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997) ISBN 0070096198.

 

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                                    

     Class Participation               10%                

                        Midterm Exam                          20%                

                        Final Exam                               20%                

                        Long Paper                              20%                

                        Short Papers                            20%                

                        Group Projects                         10%                                                    

 

                        A+       97-100                                                                                    

                        A         93-96                                                                                      

                        A-        90-92

                        B+       87-89

                        B          83-86

                        B-        80-82

                        C+       77-79

                        C         73-76

                        C-        70-72                                                                                                              

                        D+       67-69

                        D         63-66

                        D-        60-62

                        F          59-0

 

 

1. Exams and Writing Assignments: The vast majority of your grade will be based on a midterm and a final exam (essay format), a long paper and several short paper assignments. Papers will be downgraded for poor spelling, grammar, organization, etc. If you have difficulties in these areas, I recommend taking your papers to the Campus Writing Center in Wintergreen before turning them in. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for every session of class they are late. Valid excuses (e.g., illness, family emergency) will only be accepted in advance of the deadline. (Email or phone messages are acceptable for last minute occurrences.) Please do not email me papers without prior permission. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

 

For guidelines on writing a philosophy paper, see: www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/humanities/philosophy.shtml or www.princeton.edu/~jimpryor/general/writing.html.

 

2. Class Participation: Most of our class time will be spent in discussion, and each student’s participation is encouraged and expected. Informed participation requires a careful reading of assigned texts ahead of class, and that you bring the text to class. Achieving an adequate grasp of the material and doing well on the exams and written assignments is only possible through careful reading and active class participation.

 

 

3. Group Projects: Students will participate in various group projects, including discussions, presentations, and papers. Some class time will be provided, but these assignments will require additional time outside of class.

 

 

4. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades in the course. Also, attendance is weighed heavily when determining final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will reduce your grade: If you have more than 2 absences, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 5 absences to pass the course. Tardies and leaving early will be counted as half-absences. Valid excuses will be accepted, but they only excuse one half of any given absence, tardy, etc. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements in advance to copy the notes of another student.

 

 

I strongly encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with me after class or during my office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.