Revitalizing Humanities Knowledge and Skills in a Teacher Education Course

FAIN: FW-50102-10

Sarah Marie Stitzlein
University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH 45220-2872)

The humanities are a neglected area of study in the preparation of many future teachers. My project, a reaffirmation of the content and habits of mind of the humanities within a teacher education course in philosophy of education, seeks to ameliorate this problem by researching and passionately engaging students in intricate study of three key areas: epistemological and ethical approaches to education explored by ancient philosophers, the public nature of educational purposes and citizenship expressed by the founders of democracy, and educational implications of contemporary philosophical arguments regarding equality as a desirable goal of schooling. These areas are united by their significant contributions to defining enduring purposes and goals of schooling. Understanding these conflicting goals and how they have changed across time is the central task of the course to be revised.