EDGN 511/PHIL 445
Philosophers on Education
Spring, 2010
Monday, 7:10 - 9:50 p.m.
HUM 107
3 Semester Credits
Instructor:
Thomas R. McCambridge, Ph.D.
Office: SBET 213
Phone:
(805) 493-3818
E-mail:
mccamb@clunet.edu
Office hours:
By appointment
California Lutheran University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with various documented disabilities (physical, learning, or psychological). If you are a student requesting accommodations for this course, please contact me at the beginning of the semester and register with the Coordinator for Students With Disabilities (Pearson Library, Center for Academic Resources, Ext 3260) for the facilitation and verification of need. Faculty will work closely with you and your coordinator to provide necessary accommodations.
A one-semester survey course addressing the basic philosophical questions regarding education, and analyzing a selection of responses to those questions.
Students will be introduced to the basics of philosophy and philosophical practice and how philosophy is applied to questions regarding education.
A variety of philosophical positions regarding the activity of teaching will be studied.
1. To become acquainted with and comfortable using the basic tools of philosophical practice.
2. To learn to apply those tools to educational questions.
3. To acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the major schools of philosophical thought on education
3. To analyze the elements of teaching.
4. To develop a careful, thoughtful understanding of the elements of teaching
REQUIRED READING:
The Art of Teaching, Gilbert Highet
The Elements of Teaching, James M. Banner, Jr., and Harold C. Cannon
RECOMMENDED VIEWING
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Tom Brown's Schooldays
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Blackboard Jungle
Rebel Without a Cause
The Miracle Worker
Born Yesterday
Good Morning, Miss Dove
Hoosiers
To Sir , With Love
Dazed and Confused
Pump Up the Volume
Stand and Deliver
Lean On Me
Teachers
Kids
Dangerous Minds
Election
187
Ma Vida Loca
American History X
GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:
There will be two examinations, a midterm on March 8 and a final on May 10. Both will be essay exams. Each is worth 25 % of the semester grade. The essay questions will be based on the reading, on lectures, and on our discussions in class.
There will be a long paper (1500 - 2000 words), worth 25% of the semester grade, due on May 3. This paper will be an examination of the ethics of teaching, using the ethical prescriptions of Highet and Banner and Cannon, with references to the ethical dilemmas manifested in the films watched. The thesis of the paper will be up to you, but the key to a successful paper will be a systematic, methodical, logical development of that thesis. Smart and thoughtful reference to the readings, lectures, films, and discussions will be very important.
Participation in the activities of the class is essential and will be worth 25% of the semester grade. The course is heavily dependent on group discussion of the reading and films, so extensive preparation for class is necessary. Contributing to the discussion of the reading is also necessary. These contributions can be voluntary or assigned. You can't participate if you are not present, so absence, tardiness, and leaving early will adversely affect your grade.
GRADING
|
Midterm examination |
March 8 |
25% |
|
Long paper |
May 3 |
25% |
|
Final examination |
May 10 |
25% |
|
Class participation |
|
25% |
Grading Policy
Grades are assigned on the basis of the following scale:
100-94 A
93-90 A-
89-99 B+
87-84 B
83-80 B-
79-78 C+
77-74 C
73-70 C-
69-68 D+
67-64 C
63-60 D-
59 and below F
etc.
An
"A" is given to an exam answer or to a paper
where the content is accurate and complete, the organization is logical and
coherent, and the writing (syntax, grammar, spelling, etc.) is perfect.
An
"A-" is given when the content is accurate but
not complete, the organization is logical and coherent, and the writing is close
to perfect.
A
"B+" is given when the content is close to being
accurate and complete, the organization is logical and coherent, and the writing
is close to perfect.
A
"B" is given when the content is generally
accurate but not complete, the organization is close to logical and coherent,
and the writing is not marred by too many usage errors.
A
"B-" is given when the content is partially
accurate and incomplete, the organization is haphazard, and the writing is
marred by several usage errors.
And so on.
I will be happy to discuss any of my evaluations of your work with you at a
time of mutual convenience. It is possible that either errors of fact or errors
of judgment can be made, and I would be happy to correct such errors. In
preparation for such discussions, I would ask you to write down the reasons you
believe an error has been made and explain the reasons why the evaluation should
have been different.
MISCELLANEOUS
There will be a
distribution for this class
and you will be responsible for all information sent on it. It will also be a
way for us to communicate with one another outside of class time regarding
assignments, questions of interest, research opportunities, etc.
Twenty-five-percent of your grade depends on class participation. You cannot
participate if you are not here, so any tardiness, leaving early, or absence
will lower your grade. Roll will be taken at the beginning each class
meeting.
Participation means being present
and engaged in the proceedings of the class. It includes the taking of notes,
comments, questions, attentive listening, and participation in discussion. It
also means demonstrating that you have or have not done the assigned reading.
There are no make-up tests and no late papers. The assignment is either in on time or it receives a failing grade. Assume that there will be a catastrophe just as you have to turn in an assignment, and plan for it now. Seek assistance prior to due dates: Assignments may not be redone.
There will be no arrangements made for taking the exams outside the
prescribed times.
Turn off all electronic communication devices before entering the classroom.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
California Lutheran University has as a basic premise the ideal of academic integrity. California Lutheran University students live and work in a collegiate community which emphasizes their responsibility for helping to determine and enforce appropriately high standards of academic conduct. The faculty of California Lutheran University expects all students to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty, and to refrain from any action which infringes upon academic freedom of other members of the academic community. Please refer to the section on Academic Policies in the California Lutheran University Undergraduate or Graduate Catalogs.
COURSE CALENDAR
January 25 Introduction to the
course; review of the syllabus
Lecture: The activities of teaching
February 1 Art of Teaching,
Part II, "The Teacher," pp. 8 - 56
Highet selections
His rewards and difficulties
The qualities of a good teacher
knowing the subject
liking the subject
liking the pupils
knowing the pupils
knowing other things
Study Questions
on Highet
February
8 The Elements of Teaching
Compassion
Character
Film: The Emperor's Club
February 15 No class: Presidents' Day
February 22
The Elements of Teaching, con't
Compassion (PowerPoint on "Compassion")
Character
*PowerPoint on "Character")
Discussion of The Emperor's Club
March 1
The Elements of Teaching
Authority (PowerPoint on
"Authority")
Film: Blackboard Jungle
Study Questions on
Banner and Cannon
March 8 Midterm Examination, 7:15 - 9:15
March 15
The Elements of Teaching
Ethics (PowerPoint
on "Ethics")
Order ( (PowerPoint on "Order")
Imagination (PowerPoint on "Imagination")
Study Questions on
Banner and Cannon
Film: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
March 22 The Elements of Teaching, con't
Ethics (PowerPoint
on "Ethics")
Order (PowerPoint on "Order")
Imagination (PowerPoint on "Imagination")
Discussion of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
March 29 No class: Spring break
April 5 The Elements of Teaching
Authority (PowerPoint on
"Authority")
Ethics (PowerPoint
on "Ethics" )
Compassion (PowerPoint on "Compassion")
Patience (PowerPoint on "Patience")
Film: The Dead Poet's Society
April 12 The Elements of Teaching
Authority (PowerPoint on
"Authority")
Ethics (PowerPoint
on "Ethics" )
Compassion
(PowerPoint on "Compassion")
Patience (PowerPoint on "Patience")
Discussion of The Dead Poet's Society
April
19 The
Elements of Teaching
Learning (PowerPoint on
"Learning")
Authority (PowerPoint on
"Authority")
Order (PowerPoin(PowerPoint on
"Learning")t on "Order")
Compassion (PowerPoint on "Compassion")
Patience (PowerPoint on "Patience")
Pleasure (PowerPoint on "Pleasure")
Film: Stand and Deliver
April 26 The
Elements of Teaching, con't
Learning (PowerPoint on
"Learning")
Authority (PowerPoint on
"Authority")
Order
(PowerPoint on "Order" )
Compassion (PowerPoint on "Compassion")
Patience (PowerPoint on "Patience")
Pleasure (PowerPoint on "Pleasure")
Discussion of Stand and Deliver
May 3
Discussion of papers
Due: Paper
May 10 Final Exam