&ON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Fall Semester 1997

EDUC23O -3

Introduction to Philosophy of Education

?

Dr. H. Bai

Office: 8648mpc

Tel: 291-5443

D1.00 ?

E-mail: hbai@sfu.ca

PREREQUISITE

None.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The heart of philosophy has always been critical reflection and inquiry, which we need in order to lead an examined

life. Without rigorously critical examination of the aims, values, and assumptions that underlie our theory and practice

of education, we fall prey to restless consumerism where we rapidly exchange one slogan/proposal/program for another.

Or, conversely, becoming helpless in the face of controversial matters is another indicator for the need to equip ourselves

with philosophical dispositions and tools for critical reflection and inquiry. This course, then, aims at helping students

develop such dispositions and tools in the field of education.

OBJECTIVES

This course has the following objectives:

1. To introduce the idea, method, and practice of philosophy.

2. To introduce some of the major topics in philosophy of education.

3.

To help students become comfortable and familiar with philosophical inquiry, analysis, and debate.

REQUIREMENTS

The focus of the course is in-class inquiry and discussion and, thus, attendance and participation are mandatory. In

addition, students are asked to keep reading response journals, and also, there will be other forms of writing assignments.

We will discuss the details of the assignments on the first day of class.

REQUIRED TEXTS

W. Hare and J

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Portelli (ed.). (1996).Philosophy of Education: Introductor

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Readings, Detselig Enterprises Ltd.

Second edition. ISBN 1550591363.

W. Hare and J

.

Portelli (1996). What to Do?: Case Studies for Teachers. Detselig Enterprises Ltd. ISBN 0969725302.