I’m teaching a graduate-level course on the Philosophical Foundations of Education (EDUC 605) this semester.
We cover several key philosophical issues that bear directly upon education, read the works of several philosophers — Plato, Locke, Kant, Dewey, and others — who have influenced education greatly, and we look at several systems of educational philosophy.
I’ve also invited three guest speakers this semester: Jerry Kirkpatrick, a philosopher of education and professor of business at Cal State Pomona, and Joshua Hall, an economist at Beloit College with expertise in the political economy of education, and Roberto Salinas León, a philosophy Ph.D. and President and CEO of the Mexico Business Forum, Mexico City. Professor Kirkpatrick will be at Rockford College on October 28 and Professor Hall’s and Dr. León’s dates are TBA.
Here are PDF file of the syllabus and schedule for the course and the supplemental 59-page booklet of readings:
Syllabus and Schedule [pdf]
Supplemental readings booklet: Philosophical Foundations of Education [pdf]
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Some stimulating comments by Karl Popper on education, collected from scattered references in The Open Society and its Enemies.
http://www.the-rathouse.com/RC_PopperEdu.html
Dear Dr. Hicks,
I had the pleasure of viewing your documentary “Nietzsche and the Nazis” last week and I just wanted to say “Thank You” for producing such an outstanding film (if only every college student could view it). You, my friend, are making a difference.
I have been struggling to retain some sense of optimism about the future (and not give in to despair) in the face of what I see as a “collectivist tsunami” headed our way. However, as long as there are men like you, and they have some chance of being heard, there is still hope for the future. (At least, I am going to tell myself that.)
It seems ironic, given all of the rhetoric against Ayn Rand, that her system of ideals is, in a sense, profoundly “kind” and “humane” with no one being “sacrificed” to anyone and her stress on the enjoyment of life as an end in itself.
Thank you again,
Rodney Adams
Software Engineer
There is much to learn from Popper, Rafe. He’s excellent on many things. Thanks for link to the education-related post.
Rodney, I appreciate very much your high praise. And I agree entirely about the unintended irony in many people’s rhetoric about Rand — a non-sacrificial ethic and a call for every individual to achieve his highest potential — you would think it would be embraced more eagerly.