Module 4 - Foundations
of Holistic Education – 3 Credits Neohumanist education is developing at a particular point in
history. Part of an emerging international
"holistic" education movement, it shares many ideas with other
progressive educational experiments, and offers its own unique ideas as
well. This unit is an introduction to
basic philosophical and historical ideas in the field of holistic education. Study includes some of the major philosophical categories that need
to be part of an educational theory, and the student compares and contrasts
different philosophical perspectives.
Some philosophical categories and the questions relevant to them include:
Ontology (What does it mean to be human?
What is the nature of reality?); Epistemology (What is knowledge? How is it constructed? What knowledge is of most worth? How do we assess "truth claims"?);
Axiology (What are the values we hold?
How are values derived? How do they differ from culture to culture? How are values best taught?); Psychology (How
does the mind work? What is the relation
between mind and brain? What do we know
about consciousness?). Etc. Different philosophical traditions (such as
the traditional, the essentialist, the behaviourist, the romantic, the
progressive, the radical, and the transcendental developmental) have very
different ideas about each of these categories.
It is important to develop a neohumanist philosophy of education that
addresses these elements. As part of the study of the "foundations of education", the
student is introduced to educational history.
Education as we know it has emerged historically; that is it reflects
the needs, desires and interests of its time.
It also reflects the conflicts between social classes, ethnic groups,
and differing ideologies (such as between Marxism and capitalism). It is important to understand why holistic
education in general, and specifically NH education, is emerging at this point
in the planet's history. What are some
of the characteristics of the current historical moment? What does NH education have to offer at this
point in history? ·
Elements of Philosophical
Analysis ·
History of Education ·
Holistic Education ·
Introduction to Shrii PR
Sarkar and NHE ·
Philosophic Foundations of
NHE ·
Principles of NHE Competency
in Foundations of Holistic Education The student teacher has an understanding of the basic
philosophical categories underlying an education system and is able to apply
this knowledge to their study of different education systems. The teacher has a broad understanding of the
history of education and the development and principles of holistic education. In particular the teacher has an understanding
of the principles of Neohumanist Education, how it compares and/or contrasts
with other holistic education movements, and its relevance for today's world.
- Teacher: Arete Brim