Department Education Studies

Level Undergraduate Level 1

Module leader Emma Williams

Credit value 15

Module duration 10 weeks

Assessment 100% coursework

Study location University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introduction

This module provides a starting point in the philosophy of education for first year undergraduate students. On the module, you will be introduced to key philosophical concepts and ideas. You will examine how historical and contemporary philosophical debates can shed new light on important educational issues. The module uses both critical and creative approaches to explore the nature of philosophy and its relationship to education. You will analyse and evaluate philosophical arguments about education. You will also design and trial teaching activities, to test different ideas of education and philosophy in practice. The module will provide you with in-depth theoretical knowledge, and skills in engagement and communicating theoretical ideas to different audiences.

Principal Module Aims and Outcomes

• Explore the nature of philosophy and its relationship to education.
• Examine key ideas, concepts and texts in philosophy of education.
• Apply philosophical ideas to contemporary educational issues and debates.
• Critically evaluate philosophical arguments about education.
• Take different approaches to critically explore the nature and purpose of philosophy in the context of education.

Syllabus

• The module asks you to consider: how far are the ideas presented in classical philosophical works different from, and how far are they reflected in, education today?
• The module will introduce you to central philosophical concepts, ideas and debates, and encourage you to think about and engage with these in themselves and in relation to educational problems.
• You will have the opportunity to read selected excerpts from classical philosophical texts, and develop your skills in philosophical and textual analysis.
• The module will develop critical thinking skills, as doing philosophy involves evaluating the cogency and robustness of thinking and argument.
• The module also involves a creative task, in which you will put the philosophical knowledge you have learned into practice through designing your own teaching activity. This will provide you with a different perspective from which to approach philosophical ideas and concepts, and will encourage you to think about how the different approaches to education and philosophy encountered on the module translate into practice.
• You will develop skills in engagement and communicating philosophical ideas to wider audiences.

Study Time

Type	Required	Optional
Lectures	10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars	10 sessions of 2 hours (13%)
Tutorials	(0%)	1 session of 15 minutes
Private Study	120 hours (80%)
Total	150 hours

Assessment

	Weighting
Activity Plan and Reflection	40%
Students will complete an activity plan and reflection proforma document. There are a number of questions on the document and students are required to submit answers for the questions. It is similar to a worksheet.
1200 Word Critical Essay	60%