This document outlines the agenda and syllabus for an introductory philosophy of education course. The first class will involve getting acquainted, reviewing the syllabus, and introducing philosophical topics like the role of education. Students will complete pair-share interviews and discuss their personal philosophies. The syllabus outlines course goals of exploring different philosophers' views and how philosophy influences policy. Expectations like attendance, plagiarism, and cell phone policies are reviewed. Grading will incorporate assignments, essays, and a final philosophy of education paper. The course aims to help students understand their own educational beliefs and how they have been shaped by experiences.

1. Issues in American Education

2. First Class Agenda
*Attendance
*Get to know your professor
*Get to know each other
 Pair and share interview.
*Go over the syllabus
Break: Please be back in 15 minutes - 8 o’clock sharp
*Introduction to Philosophy of Education
*The Role of Education in Our Lives
 Discussion questions
*What Should Education Be?

3. Communication Folder
The “communication” folder will be used to track attendance,
participation, and assignments. It will be given out at the beginning of
class and collected at the end. Do not take this folder home. It will
provide a private way for you to turn in assignments and for me to hand
graded work back.
Put your full name on the TAB and on the outside of the folder
Then fill in at the top of the left page:
 Your full name -
 Address -
 Phone number (s) -
 E-mail –
These will be collected at the end of class

4. Getting to know your professor

5. Getting to know each other
Pair and Share
 Draw a name from the hat
 Pair up and interview each other
 Be prepared to introduce your partner to the class.

6. What we will be learning
The Syllabus
 My office hours and phone
 Textbook Classic and Contemporary
Readings in The Philosophy of Education
Available in bookstore and on reserve in l1brary

7. What we will be learning
Course Goals
 The role & importance of philosophy in American
education.
 What do individual philosophers have to say about
education?
 What is your philosophy of education?
 What philosophies influence American education
today?
 How does philosophy influence educational policy
and reforms?

8. Class Etiquette
 Mutual respect in class
 Listen when someone else is speaking
 Be on time. Each 3 hour class counts as 3
attendance periods. If you are late or leave
early that counts as an absence. Excessive
absences will result in an F in the course.
Signed medical excuse note is required.

9. Classroom Etiquette
 Plagiarism, cheating or using work from
other classes will result in a F
 Use of cell phone in class is prohibited.
Repeated offenses will cause you to be asked
to leave , and you will lose participation and
attendance credit.

10. Grading Policy
 Class participation & in-class assignments
 Educational issue essay 1 & 2
 School Board meeting report
 School administrator interview
 School teacher interview
 Your philosophy of education & final exam

11. Course Topics & Readings
 All reading assignments must be done before the date
due so you can participate in the discussion and
activities.
 Topics are subject to change to better meet learning
goals.
 Other Resources:
Open Directory - Society: Philosophy: Philosophy of Education:
Philosophers
philosophy of education
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

12. Break Time
7:45 to 8:00 Please return
promptly at 8
To think about:
“Teach students how to think, not
what to think.”

13. Let’s talk about education

14. Philosophy of Education
We all have one!
(Pair and Share)
What is your personal philosophy of Education?
How should adults and children be taught?
Which is better public schools or private schools?
How can we effectively teach to create a better society of
people?

15. Philosophy of Education
Where does our philosophy come from?
1. Our view of ourselves
How do you think you learn best?
( Get a new Partner @ Pair and Share)
What did you learn about yourself?
How would this affect your view of education?

16. Philosophy of Education
Where does our philosophy come from?
2. Our experiences
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
What positive/negative experiences have you
had in school?
Did the way you were taught match how you
learn best?

17. Philosophy of Education
Where does our philosophy come from?
3. Our hopes and dreams
Have you learned anything outside of school
that you wished was taught in school?

18. What I Believe Now
Write a brief essay describing what you believe a good
education should be for American students today. Consider…
 How do you think students learn best?
 How do you think teachers should teach? What methods are
successful?
 How do you think schools should be organized and funded?
 What subjects, values, and ways of thinking should schools
teach?
This ungraded essay will be collected to be returned at the end of
the course so you can compare how your ideas and beliefs have
changed over the semester.

19. Children’s book reading &
discussion
At the end of this course, I want you to all have a
better sense of who you are and what you believe.

20. Turn in Your Communication Folder
Put your “What I Believe Now Essay” in the folder.
If you have any questions, write them on a paper and put
in the folder or see me after class.
Next class:
Educational Philosophy in Action:
Montessori Education