SON FRASER UNIVERSITY

STUDIES IN THE HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN THE

WESTERN WORLD

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Office: TBD

email: rob.manery@telus.net

THURSDAY 8:30-11:20 @ Surrey Campus room 3280

PREREQUISITE

None.

DESCRIPTION:

We do not, it seems to me, study the history of education merely for its possible value in avoiding mistakes,

in recognizing the inefficiencies of the monitorial system, for example, or the parochialism of ecclesiastical

education, or the fragility of academic freedom, though history can have such value. We study history to

become aware of our presuppositions and commitments in education by examining the origin of those

presuppositions and commitments.

Larry Cremin, "American Education: Some Notes Toward a New History."

We will examine a variety of ideas and practices in the field of education in order to understand how our

current educational system has developed from these ideas. We will focus on how our conception of

education has changed throughout time and examine what has been gained and what has been lost with

these changing conceptions. To this end we will examine the ideas and practices of the ancient Greeks,

medieval education, Renaissance and Enlightenment ideals, the influence of Romanticism, the scientific

revolution, Piaget and psychology, and progressive education.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance is compulsory and students will be expected to participate in class discussions. In addition,

students will give a short presentation on one of the readings. Two papers will also be required.

Class discussion ?

10%

Presentation ?

20%

Small paper (1500 words) 30%

Final paper: (3000 words) 40%

REQUIRED TEXT

Gutek, Gerald L., A History of the Western Educational Experience, Long Grove: Waveland Press, Inc.,

1995

2nd Edition, ISBN: 0881338184

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Additional readings will be made avSble in class or on library reserve.

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