HPGD1103

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
SLOT 2
Philosopical Foundations of Curriculum

DR.KALIDASS MACHAPPAN
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 WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

• The word philosophy is a combination of the

Greek word "philos" (love) and "Sophia"
(wisdom) which translated means "love of
wisdom".

• Philosophy also refers to the collective works of

other philosophers.
• For centuries philosophers have been interested
with such concepts as morality, goodness,
knowledge, truth, beauty and our very
existence.
Philosophy is the starting point in any
curriculum decision and it becomes the
criteria for determining the aims,
selection, organisation and
implementation of the curriculum in the
classroom.
• Philosophers are people who seek after
wisdom and are curious about the
world and seek to understand the
nature of things.

• Philosophy is not so much putting

forward new philosophies or
propositions but making existing
philosophies or propositions clearer.
 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Philosophy of education is the study of questions such as:

• What is education?
• What is the purpose of education?
• What does it mean to know something?
• What is the relationship between education and society?

Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau, Dewey, Adler, Confucius, Al Farabi, Tagore and many
others: Have been key voices in philosophy of education and have contributed to
our basic understanding of what education is and can be.
 PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM

• Philosophy is the starting point in any curriculum

decision making and is the basis for all
subsequent decisions regarding curriculum.

• Philosophy becomes the criteria for determining

the aims, selection, organisation and
implementation of the curriculum in the
classroom.
 What is Perennialism?

Perennial means "everlasting," like a perennial flower that blooms year

after year. Perennialism, the oldest and most conservative educational
philosophy has its roots in the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle.

• Two modern day proponents of perennialism are Robert Hutchins

and Mortimer Adler.

• The perennialists believed that humans are rational and the aim of
education is "to improve man as man" (Hutchins, 1953).
• Perennialism is based on the belief that some ideas have lasted over
centuries and are as relevant today as when they were first
conceived.
The perennialists believe that the aim of
education is to develop the rational person and
to uncover universal truths by training the
intellect.

Perennialism is based on the belief that some

ideas have lasted over centuries and are as
relevant today as when they were first
conceived.

A list of the 'Great Books' was proposed

covering topics in Literature, Art, Psychology,
Philosophy, Mathematics, Science, Economics,
Politics and so forth.
 The Perennialist Curriculum
Curriculum proposed:

1. The 'Great Books' programme or more commonly called the liberal arts.
2. Students to discover ideas that are most insightful and timeless in understanding the human
condition.
3. Single elementary and secondary curriculum for all students.
4. Were not keen on allowing students to take electives (except second languages.
5. Teachers should spend more time teaching concepts and explaining how these concepts are
meaningful to students.
6. Scientific knowledge has been produced, teaching should focus on the processes by which
scientific truths have been discovered.
7. Student should learns to learn and not to be evaluated.
8. Universities should not only prepare students for specific careers but to pursue knowledge
for its own sake.
9. Teach Science but not technology, great ideas rather than vocational topics.
10.Students must think about the disagreements and reach a reasoned, defensible conclusion.
11. School should teach religious values or ethics.
 What is Essentialism?

• Essentialism comes from the word 'essential' which means the main things or the
basics.

• Was originally popularised in the 1930s by William Bagley and later in the 1950s
by Arthur Bestor and Admiral Rickover.
• First introduced as an educational philosophy in American schools, it was
criticised as being too rigid.

Essentialism was grounded in a conservative philosophy that argues that schools

should not try to radically reshape society. Rather, they should transmit traditional
moral values and intellectual knowledge that students need to become model
citizens.
The essentialists argue that schools
should transmit the traditional moral
values and intellectual knowledge that
students need to become model
citizens.
 The Essentialist Curriculum
Curriculum proposed:

• The 'basics' of the essentialist curriculum are Mathematics, natural Science, History, foreign language
and Literature.

• Elementary students receive instruction in skills such as writing, reading and measurement.

• Adjusted according to student ability.

• It advocates a longer school day, a longer academic year and more challenging textbooks.

• Teaching is teacher-centred and teachers decide what is most important for students to learn with
little emphasis on student interests.

• To be "culturally literate," that is, to possess a working knowledge about the people, events, ideas and
institutions that have shaped society.

• Discipline is necessary for systematic learning in a school situation.

• Teachers need to be mature and well educated.

 What is Progressivism?

Progressivism is a philosophical belief that argues that education must be based on

the fact that humans are by nature social and learn best in real-life activities with
other people.

The person most responsible for progressivism was John Dewey (1859-1952).
• Wrote extensively on psychology, epistemology (the origin of knowledge), ethics and
democracy.
• The role of education is to transmit society's identity by preparing young people for adult
life.
• Allow learners to realise their interests and potential.
• Described education as a process of growth and experimentation.
The progressivists believe that education
must be based on the fact that humans
are by nature social and learn best in real-
life activities with other people.
 The Progressive Curriculum

• Progressivists emphasise the study of the natural and social Sciences.

• Teachers should plan lessons that arouse curiosity and push students towards higher order
thinking and knowledge construction.

• Students are encouraged to interact

• combine several different subjects

• exposed to a more democratic curriculum

• Students solve problems in the classroom similar to those they will encounter outside school.
 What is Reconstructionism?

Reconstructionism was a philosophy uniquely popular in the U.S. during the

1930's through the 1960's.

• Reconstructionists favour reform and argue that students must be

taught how to bring about change.
• Students are to study social problems and think of ways to improve
society.
• Students cannot afford to be neutral but must take a position.
The reconstructivists favour
reform and students must be
taught about how to bring about
change.
 The Reconstructionist
Curriculum
• Students had to be committed to the issues discussed and encouraged to take action
to bring about constructive change.

• Based on social and economic issues as well as social service.

• Should not be afraid to examine controversial issues.

• Curriculum should be constantly changing to meet the changes in society.

• Teachers are considered the prime agents of social change, cultural renewal and
internationalism.

• The curriculum emphasised the social sciences

 BU NASR AL-FARABI

Al-Farabi used a number of terms to describe education: discipline

(tadib), training (tahdhib), guidance (tasdid), instruction (talim), exercise
or learning (irtiyad) and upbringing (tarbiya) (quoted in Ammar al-Talbi,
1993).
Al-Farabi on Education

According to him the whole activity of education is the acquisition of values,

knowledge and practical skills leading to perfection and the attainment of
happiness.

Al-Farabi on Curriculum

Classified the sciences and learning not just for the sake of listing them,
but with an educational objective in mind.
According to Al-Farabi the whole
activity of education is the
acquisition of values, knowledge
and practical skills leading to
perfection and the attainment of
happiness.
 CONFUCIUS

One of China’s most famous philosophers

 He stated that education plays a fundamental role in the development of society

and of individuals alike.
 He rejected feudalism in which the status of an individual was passed from one
generation to the next based on birth which was prevalent during his time..
According to Confucius, education is to produce
capable individuals whom he called gentlemen or
men of quality who combined competence with
virtue.
 Confucius on Education

 education is to produce capable individuals

 priority are:
-filial piety (xiao)
-respect for the elderly (ti)
-loyalty (zhong)
-respectfulness (gong)
-magnanimity (kuan)
-fidelity (xin)
-diligence (min)
-altruism (hui)
-kindness (liang)
-frugality (jian)
-tolerance (rang)
-wisdom (zhi)
-courage (yong)
 Confucius on Curriculum

Main emphasis of the curriculum should be moral

instruction and the imparting of knowledge

philosophy, politics, economics, culture and

musicianship.
 Tagore on Education

• Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) born in Calcutta, India

was known for his socio-religious and cultural
innovations.
• individual personality through interaction and union with
the environment
• Schools should be made more lively and enjoyable. They
should be more attractive and productive.
• Classes were held outdoor (whenever the weather
permitted)
• learning from the real-world
• University Education : based on knowledge of
economics, agriculture, health, medicine and other
subjects that reflects life in the surrounding villages
• self-motivation
• open debate on every issue and distrusted conclusions
 Tagore on Curriculum

• emphasis on the use of the national language as the medium of

instruction at all stages of education

• women and men to be offered similar theoretical courses with

separate practical courses for women

• develop a student's aesthetic nature and creativity

• encouraged to follow the life cycle of insects, birds and plants

• music, art, literature, drama and dance

• analysed history and culture for the progress that had been made in
breaking down social and religious barriers

• The curriculum was flexible

According to Tagore, education
should aim for the all-round
development of the individual
personality through interaction and
union with the environment.
THANK YOU