S

EDUCATION 230

Introduction to Philosophy of Education.

Fall, 2007

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Instructor: Dr Robin Barrow

Wednesdays 2:30-4:20

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Office: ?

EDB 9507

Plus 1 hour tutorial (Times TBA)

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Phone: ?

291-5890

E-mail:robin_barrow@sfu.ca

GENERAL INFORMATION;

This course, open to all undergraduates, is intended to provide students who

have a general interest in educational studies an opportunity to critically

examine a variety of educational issues from the perspective of analytic

philosophy. A central concern of the course is to elucidate the nature of

education as distinct from related concepts such as training and socialisation,

and to argue that education is a uniquely human phenomenon. Other concepts

considered include mind, knowledge and emotion. As its title indicates, the

course is equally concerned with introducing the business of philosophical

analysis to students. There are no prerequisites for the course.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. One two-hour lecture/question period and one one-hour tutorial each week.

2.

One short paper (10%)

One term paper ( 40%)

One in-class test (50%)

REQUIRED TEXT:

Robin Barrow and Ronald Woods (2006), An Introduction to Philosophy of

Education, Fourth Edition, Routledge, Paperback. ISBN 0415381266.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Topics include: What is it to be Human? The Concept of Education. The Nature of

Knowledge. Indoctrination. Rationality and Autonomy. The Postmodern Challenge.

Needs, Wants and Interests. Creativity. Culture. Research into teaching.