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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Philosophy of Education: Teaching, Pedagogy & Practice
Module Code PHE1007 (ITS: PH220)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Theology, Philosophy & Music
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 15
Description

This module seeks to explore the original connections between philosophy and education beginning in the early Greek period whilst also providing a practical introduction to teaching philosophy (and related subjects) in contemporary schools. It also foregrounds the historical development of this relationship between philosophy and education in the modern period and with a particular emphasis on recent developments in philosophy of education and curriculum. Different pedagogies of teaching philosophies in schools are analysed as a key part of the course, particularly philosophy with children and the community of inquiry for all ages. The most important theorists in the history of education from Plato through to Rousseau, Dewey and Noddings are examined in detail on the course.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E02D479-E311-0001-F6EC-911091B01747
2. Identify the important relationship between philosophy and education beginning in the early greek period
5. 1
6. 1E02D479-E954-0001-5D61-BEA14370D410
7. Develop the capacity to teach philosophy in elementary and more advanced school settings
10. 2
11. 1E02D479-EED6-0001-AFF7-1EDC5E00177B
12. Connect this philosophical pedagogy to the teaching of other disciplines in schools, through developing an ethos of enquiry
15. 3
16. 1E02D479-F2AF-0001-432F-1C28F4A32800
17. Identify and understand the most significant themes of the key theorists in the philosophy of education
20. 4
21. 1E02D479-F793-0001-C11E-158012571FCD
22. Evaluate the significance of these key historical themes in the context of contemporary education and curriculum development and practice
25. 5
26. 1E02D479-FCAB-0001-6FC1-E9B740F54D10
27. Develop a reflective philosophy of education which is also rooted in the practice of education
30. 6


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Tutorial18No Description
Online activity60No Description
Independent Study297No Description
Total Workload: 375
Section Breakdown
CRN11725Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorFiachra O'BrolchainModule TeacherBláithin Duggan, Shirley Anne O'Brien
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentEssay plan + essay30%n/a
Essayn/a30%n/a
AssignmentEssay + reflection40%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite l,
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

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

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

PART 1: PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION THROUGH THE AGES

Chapter 1 - Socrates

Chapter 2 - Plato

Chapter 3 - Aristotle (c. 384 B.C.E. - 322 B.C.E.)

Chapter 4 - The Middle-Ages – Faith, Reason and Education

Chapter 5 - Rousseau (1712 – 1778)

PART 2: KEY THEMES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION [IN RELATION TO THE CLASSROOM]

Chapter 1 - From Teacher Centred to Child-Centred in Education

Chapter 2 - A Middle Way for Education - Dewey's Experience and Education

Chapter 3 - What is Education for?

Chapter 4 - Education and an Ethics of Care

Chapter 5 - Phrónêsis

Chapter 6 - The Critique of Banking Education in Freire

PART 3: KEY THEMES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION [IN RELATION TO WIDER SOCIETY]

Chapter 1 - Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Chapter 2 - The Context of Equality: Questions of Social Justice and Education

Chapter 3 - Democracy and education

Chapter 4 - Schooling and Education

Chapter 5 - Moral dimension of education

Chapter 6 - Education, Politics and Psychoanalysis: From '68 and Situationism to Žižek

Chapter 7 - From Feminism to Multi-culturalism in Education

PART 4: COMMUNITY PHILOSOPHY/PHILOSOPHY WITH CHILDREN/TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Chapter 1 - Matthew Lipman and Philosophy for Children

Chapter 2 - Philosophy with Children: Picture Books and Philosophy

Chapter 3 - The Community of Philosophical Inquiry Beyond the Classroom

Chapter 4 - Teaching Philosophy and Teaching Philosophically

Chapter 5 - Developing Lessons for the Classroom

PART 5: PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM IN IRELAND

Chapter 1 - History and Context of the Ethos Debate in Ireland

Chapter 2 - Contemporary Schooling, Education and Values: Denominational and Multi-Denominational Approaches

Chapter 3 - Key Debates in Curriculum Studies

Chapter 4 - Values-Led Approaches in Irish Education

Chapter 5 - Process Curriculum

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Dewey, J.: 1973, Experience and Education, Collier Books, London,
  • Freire, P.: 1996, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Continuum, London,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

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