Philosophy Of Education: Values, Aims And Society

Course Code: MMAPOE_01

Masters Level Module

This module draws on work in ethics and political philosophy in order to provide an introduction to many of the major issues in philosophy of education. Specifically, we will explore philosophical aspects of the concepts of: freedom and equality; the perceived tension between these concepts in political philosophy; and the educational ideas associated with different ways of thinking about individual freedom, social justice and equality. These will be considered in relation to differing conceptions of ethics, and the divergent ideas of human being (the self and its relation to society) that these generate. We will also address the relevance of ideas and debates within these areas for current issues in educational policy and practice. Topics will include: social change and the advent of progressivism; arguments around progressivism and liberal education; liberalism and communitarianism; radical and libertarian traditions; the public/private distinction; privatization and marketisation; state control of education; faith schools and common schools; values education and education for citizenship. The module is taught on Thursday evenings from 5-8 in the autumn term.

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