Philosophical Foundation of Education (BEd 31013)

Welcome to Philosophical Foundation of Education (BEd 31013), a core professional course designed to transform how you view your role, your purpose, and your practice as an educator. Over 150 notional hours (3 credits), this course bridges ancient wisdom and 21st-century realities to help you think critically, reason systematically, and make principled teaching decisions.

📘 What is This Course About?

Rather than treating philosophy as an abstract academic exercise, this course treats it as a practical necessity for daily classroom life. You will trace the deep connections between historical ideas and modern educational systems through six key thematic areas:

• The Foundations of Philosophy: Exploring the core branches—metaphysics, epistemology, axiology (ethics/aesthetics), and logic—and how they directly dictate classroom decisions.

• Western Schools of Thought: Analyzing how Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism, and Existentialism define what is worth learning and how students learn.

• Aims & Roles of Education: Deconstructing the lines between formal, non-formal, and informal education, alongside the tension between serving the individual vs. serving society.

• Ethics, Values & Diverse Traditions: Examining character development and moral formation through the lenses of Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, and Christian educational philosophies.

• Visionary Educational Thinkers: Engaging with the revolutionary ideas of both Western giants (Socrates, Plato, Rousseau, Froebel, Montessori, Freire, Illich) and Eastern reformers (Tagore, Gandhi).

• 21st Century & Beyond: Tackling pressing modern issues including digital-age learning, inclusive education, global citizenship, and sustainability.

🤝 How We Will Learn

To move beyond passive reading, this course relies on active engagement. Be prepared to participate in:

• Structured philosophical debates

• Collaborative group presentations

• Interactive role-plays and practical application activities

📊 Assessment Structure

Your final grade is calculated through two primary components:

• Continuous Assessment (30%): Ongoing coursework, tasks, and activities.

• Final Examination (70%): A comprehensive written exam at the end of the course.

Get Ready to Explore: This journey will challenge you to apply the wisdom of the past to the rapidly changing, digital world of today. Review the syllabus tab, download the Module 1 readings, and let's begin!