Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description The module aims to explore the role of philosophical enquiry in educational discourse by introducing students to selected philosophies and philosophers of education. The module offers an overview of the epistemic and moral dimensions of teaching and learning through an historical exploration of key philosophical approaches to knowledge and ethics.Themes such as democracy, curriculum and knowledge (declarative and procedural knowledge), competence versus competencies, accountability and responsibility in the workplace, educational standards and education as a relation of care are critically examined. Furthermore specific attention will be paid to highlighting different concepts of education & training will also be explored to guide students towards the development of a personal philosophy of education with the view to establishing a personal model of educational theory informing curent and future practice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Examine the moral dimension of teaching through the themes of care, respect and engagement as means to establish ethical relationships with students, colleagues and parents 2. 1D877CD2-96FC-0001-7F65-B92114001910 3. Deductively analyze and research the themes of truth, forms of knowledge and morality as means to innovatively contribute to current debates on educational & training practice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction to Philosophy /Philosophical method in education philosophical inquiry, argumentation dialectics, second-order questioning inductive/deductive approaches Hermeneutics Aims and Meaning of Education Making philosophy relevant to teachers: introduction to the moral and epistemic/gnoseological dimensions of teaching and learning The epistemic dimension of teaching and learning The quest for knowledge and truth over the centuries Epistemic approaches influencing education Classics: Metaphysics Plato vs Aristotle Heuristics: Socrates Christendom: Ontology: Augustine Scholasticism & paternalistic approaches The birth of scientific method Dualism, Mind and body problem and the birth of scientific method from Descartes onward A new dogmatism? Modern & contemporary approaches From Montaigne to Pragmatism : Enlighted and democratic approaches; critical thinking Post-moderninsm Relativism, hermeneutics and multiplicity of knowledge perspectives Knowledge and the curriculum The moral dimension of education philosophical developments and iinfluencing educational theory and practice Aristotle: phronesis practical wisdom and teaching Rousseau : developing natural talents Dewey: Democracy & participantion Freire: moral implications of the banking concept of education Gadamer, Habermas: Respect for otherness Teaching as a moral activity The teacher role: attitudes professionalism and competence Teachers'personal and professional values Teaching between practice and vocation Cultivating moral values Teaching as a relational activity Teaching and care Teaching and engagement Teaching and respect Teaching and care Dialogue in education Dialogue as a teaching method and classroom interactional practice Engaging and promoting critical thinking through Socratic dialogue. Knowledge and the curriculum Philosophical influences on curricular choices What knowledge? Whose knowledge? How is knowledge is knowledge communicated? Knowledge ownership? negotiation of meaning teaching as semiotic apprenticeship Knowledge and interpretation: implications for teachers Indocrination; Knowledege-how and knowledge-that and the implication of different forms of knoweldge for education and training Accountability and Professional Responsibility The interplay and tension between concepts of responsibility and accountability. Sources of of Obbligation. Professional responsibility and standards. Examination of Teaching Council Code of Conduct and the implication for professional responsibility. Professionalism and Competence Professional attitudes, dispositions and behaviours. Competence versus competencies. Critical appraisal of the role of competence in defining professionalism. Philosophy for Children Critical evaluation of the arguments in favour and against the introduction of Philosophical thinking to young persons. The implications of Philosophy for chidlren for citizenship and moral education. The contribution to Philosophy for Children by Matthew Lipman. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||