EDUC-8101                          Philosophical Paradigms of Education                         3 (3+0)

Multiplicity in philosophical paradigms of education adds versatility and complementarity to the overall education system in both concepts and functions. Each paradigm of education has a different perspective on the purpose of education, what it means to learn, and the roles of teachers and students in the learning process. These paradigms influence entire education design and practice - how students are taught, how they are assessed, and what is valued and included in the curriculum. Awareness of the different paradigms, and how they work together, can support alignment of teaching and assessment approaches. This course is to inculcate deeper reflection among students so that they may be able to develop better rationale for their intended research project and can appraise critically their point of focus in research. This course intends to: explain, describe and use correctly the significant terms and concepts of philosophy; identify and evaluate main characteristics of leading general philosophies and philosophies of Education in different contexts; critically analyse the essential differences between general philosophies; identify and synthesis the main features of the Islamic view about the concepts of reality, knowledge and values; and apply the philosophical methods to the examination of educational problems /issues.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of the study of this course, the students will be able to;

• Explain, describe and use correctly the significant terms / concepts of philosophy;
• Identify and evaluate the main characteristics of main philosophies of Education in different contexts.
• Critically analyze the essential differences between general philosophies.
• Identify and synthesis the main features of the Islamic view about the concepts of reality, knowledge and values
• Apply the philosophical methods to the examination of educational problems /issues.

Outline

Unit-1: Meaning and Importance of Philosophy

1. What is philosophy?
2. Importance of Philosophy.
3. The function and scope of philosophy
4. The styles of philosophy; speculative, prescriptive, and analytic

Unit-2: Branches of Philosophy

1. Ontology: Existence, reality, cosmology, nature and nurture of human beings
2. Epistemology
   1. Sources of knowledge
   2. Theories of truth and types of propositions
   3. Logic or the method of establishing truth
3. Axiology
   1. Theories of instronsic values absolute, permanent and deterministic
   2. Theory of instrumental values (utility, temporal).
   3. Ethics theory of morality.
   4. Aesthetics theory of beauty
4. Implications of various concepts for society and education

Unit-3:  Philosophy of Education

1. Is there really a philosophy of education?
2. Meanings/concepts of education
3. Subject matter of philosophy of education
4. Impact of philosophy of education
   1. Aims and objectives and functions of education
   2. Curriculum
   3. Teaching learning process
   4. The role of the school and society

Unit-4: Main Types of General Philosophies and Educational Philosophies

1. Naturalism
2. Idealism
3. Realism
4. Pragmatism/experimentalism
5. Existentialism

Unit-5: Contemporary Philosophies of Education

1. Conservative philosophies
   1. Perrenialism
   2. Essentialism
2. Progressive philosophies
   1. Progressivism
   2. Deconstructionism
3.  Is there any elective philosophy of education?

Unit-6: Analytic Approach to Clarifying Major Concepts in the Field of Education

1.  Education, training and introduction
2. Development and growth
3. Authority and Freedom

Unit-7: Practicum

Each student will have to work on the educational philosophy of a selected philosopher like Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Lock, Frobel, Pestalozzi, Dewey, Hume etc., in a structured way under the following headings:

1. Ontology
2. Axiology
3. Epistemology
4. Curriculum
5. Method of Teaching etc.

Recommended Texts

1. Haynes, J., Gale, K., & Parker, M. (2016). Philosophy and education: An introduction to key questions and themes. London: Routledge.
2. Noddings, N. (2018). Philosophy of education. London: Routledge.

Suggested Readings

1. Bhatt, S. R. (2018). Philosophical foundations of education. New Delhi: Kanishka Publishers.
2. Blake, N., Smeyers, P., Smith, R., & Standish, P. (2012). The Blackwell guide to philosophy of education. NY: Blackwell Publishing.
3. Ozmon, H., & Craver, S. M. (2008). Philosophical foundations of education. NJ:  Merrill Prentice Hall.
4. Shrivastava, K. K. (2013). Philosophical foundations of education. New Delhi: Kanishka Publishers.