.
?
S
EDUCATION
437
ETHICS AND EDUCATION
SUMMER SESSION,
1978
INSTRUCTOR: ?
Dr. John Wilson, Department of Educational Studies,
Oxford University, U.K.
DESCRIPTION:
1.
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This course is about problems of value and practical
decision-making in education
a) in relation to education as a whole (e.g. "What kinds
of values are there in-being educated?", "Have we the right
to force people into schools?", "How do we educate people
without indoctrinating them?", etc.), and
b)
in relation to practical schooling (e.g. "What sort of
discipline/authority do teachers need?", "Who ought to control
schools?", "How can we morally educate pupils?", etc.).
2. ?
The course is in a broad sense 'philosophical', but previous
philosophical training is not required. ?
It is intended for those
who want to think hard and argue about these kinds of questions,
and are not content to accept current fashion, authority or
convention. Most of the course will be conducted informally
by discussion: the instructor hopes to find time for further
informal discussion outside official class-hours.
3.
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Required Texts:
P.M. Hirst, & R.S. Peters, THE LOGIC OF EDUCATION (Routledge,
1970)
John Wilson, PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICAL EDUCATION (Routledge,
1977)
Other relevant books and articles will be mentioned at the
beginning of the course, and will be available in the library.
e. ?
Course Requirements:
Students will be •required to produce at least two solid pieces
of written work (on any relevant topic of their choosing), and
to make formal and informal presentations in class from time
to time. ?
The chief requirement for the course, however, is the
motivation to think and argue seriously (not necessarily earnestly)
about these problems.
5. ?
Recommended Text Supplements:
(ed.) ?
R.S. Peters,PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION (Oxford Readings,
Oxford University Press,
1973)
John Wilson,MORAL THINKING (Heinemann,
1970)