Foundations of Education Course Compilation

Course description: The Foundations of Education course provides the student with an understanding of the history of education, including the social, political, ethical and legal dimensions and its role and value in society. Course activities include the study of scholarly articles, texts and field observations. The student will demonstrate the understanding gained in the course by articulating a personal perspective on the role and value of education by comparing various educational philosophies and approaches.

Quarter: April 21 – July 7, 2008, 11 weeks

Mentor: Andy Smallman, Director of Puget Sound Community School

Assignments:

• Report on Contrasting Values in American Education: Chronicles the major movements in American education starting mid-nineteenth century

• Research paper stating my philosophy of education: The paper states that life and education are deeply interconnected and that education that is significant to life nurtures integrated human beings as compared to success seeking people.

Field Experience: I attended the PSCS Staff meetings for a total of 10 hours in an effort to understand the goals, assumptions, issues, philosophies, priorities and values that shape the educational environment offered by a vital school.

Books referenced:

1970). The Open Plan School. Report of a National Seminar. Retrieved
May 12, 2008, from
http://archone.tamu.edu/CRS/engine/archive_files/EFL/6000.0205.pdf

Beach, J. M. (2007). The Ideology of the American Dream: Two Competing Philosophies in Education. Educational Studies, 148-164.

Bhave, V. (1974). Education or Manipulation (71-80). In Childhood and Education.

Csikszentmihalyi, C. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.

Gibran, K. (1971). Our Children (pp. 17-18). In The Prophet. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Krishnamurti, J. (1992). Education and the Significance of Life. United Kingdom: Victor Gollancz Ltd.

Krishnamurti, J. (2006). The Whole Movement of Life is Learning: J Krishnamurti’s Letters to His Schools. United Kingdom: Krishnamurti Foundation Trust.

Maslow, A. (1970). What is a Taoistic Teacher?. In L. J. Rubin, Facts and Feelings in the Classroom (pp. 149-170). New York: The Viking Press.

Mondal, S., Patton, S. B. (Eds.) (2001). School: The Story of
American Public Education. Location: Boston Publisher: Beacon Press.

Weiler, Kathleen (n.d.). What Can We Learn from Progressive Education?. Radical Teacher, 69, 4-10.

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