Lapsuuden ja kasvatuksen filosofia, Contact teaching, Contact teaching

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Welcome to study Philosophy of Childhood and Education!

During the course, you will learn about the views that classic and contemporary philosophers hold on childhood and education. The course is also suitable as a refresher or advanced course in ethics and social philosophy.

The topics of education and childhood are a cross-cutting theme throughout the history of philosophy and all aspects of philosophy, because moral education, the relationship between education and society, the moral status of children, and the development of epistemological understanding have been commented on by Aristotle, Plato, Wollstonecraft, Rousseau, Locke, Kant, Mill as Dewey. Currently, the themes of childhood, education, and intergenerational justice are a growing research trend in ethics and social philosophy. Current issues of childhood and education concern parental authority over education and school education, children's interests in education, the role of the family and the state in education, values and goals of education, such as justifying individual autonomy, sustainable lifestyle, sexual education or anti-racism as the goal of school education.

The themes of the lectures are (1-3 lectures/theme): education and childhood themes in the history of philosophy; trends in educational philosophy; the moral status of the child; children's interests and rights; family, school and children; justice, political theories and education; distributive justice in education; justification of educational goals (e.g., critical thinking, good life, happiness, democracy, or religious education); critique of and alternatives to education and schooling.

The course is primarily aimed at master's-level Major students, but is also well-suited for Minor students and Open University students. Doctoral researchers in philosophy or other fields are also welcome. However, at least the basic courses in ethics and social philosophy must be completed as prior studies. The course also requires good English skills, as the reading materials are mainly in English. Depending on the students, the language of instruction may be either Finnish or English.  

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