Educational Psychology & Philosophy
Philosophical Studies in Education
What is Philosophical Studies in Education?
Philosophy of education is concerned with the interpretation, criticism, and imaginative construction of educational arguments. Philosophers of education often ask what it means to be an educated person and what the goal of schools should be in a just society. The questions of philosophy of education are often issues of meaning and human values that are not fully answerable through scientific methods. Common questions in philosophy of education concern the nature of knowledge, mind, culture, learning, justice, and democracy as these topics relate to education and human development. The methods of philosophy involve the interpretative strategies often associated with humanistic inquiry: close reading of texts, logical and ethical analysis, and historical contextualization. More generally, philosophers of education make connections among different ideas circulating in the past and present intellectual worlds. People who enjoy reading books, debating ideas, and formulating compelling visions of new educational possibilities generally do well in a philosophy of education program. Scholars trained in philosophy of education pursue careers in higher education, policy agencies, and public and private educational systems.
There are many organizations for individuals interested in Philosophical Studies in Education, including the Philosophy of Education Society.
Core Areas of Study: Doctoral Program
- The roots of educational ideas and traditions.
- The ethics of educational policy and practice.
- The nature of mind, knowledge, and learning as they relate to education and human development.
Areas of Specialization
In consultation with their advisors, students complete their major courses according to their professional and research interests. Specialties include:
- Philosophical Studies in Education
- Philosophy and Psychology: Joint philosophy and educational psychology
Research Requirements
- Introductory course: "Philosophical Issues in Educational Research."
- 3-4 course sequence in philosophical and historical methods
- The above must include at least 4 courses in the methodology of the dissertation research