Syllabus

Note: Readings labeled (ER) are available at the course ella site.

All readings are to be done for the date on which they are listed. They will be discussed then.

8-Sep Introduction to the Course

In Class: Screen "Teaching Children Philosophy" and "Picture Book Philosophy"

13-Sep Why Philosophy for Children?

Read: Big Ideas for Little Kids, Preface and Chapters 1 and 2; Kennett and Smith (ER)

Assignment: Begin Journal

15-Sep Workshop with Gail Herman on reading aloud

Read: Splitter and Sharp (ER), pp. 126-49; The Read-Aloud Handbook (ER)

Assignment: Practice reading a picture book of your choice and bring it to class

20-Sep Can Children Philosophize?

Read: Matthews (ER); Big Ideas, Ch. 4; Teaching Thinking (TT), Ch. 1; "Dragons and Giants" and look at the book module

22-Sep Picture Books as Philosophy/How Book Modules Work/Practice Discussing Philosophy

Read: TT, Ch. 2; Plato and a Platypus… (PP), Introduction

27-Sep The Community of Inquiry

Read: Splitter and Sprod, "Places for Thinking" (ER); Kennedy, "Forming Communities..." (ER); TT, Ch. 3

29-Sep Learner-Centered Teaching/More Practicing Philosophy: "Frederick"

Read: Big Ideas, Chs. 3 and 5; Lipman (ER) [two items]

4-Oct Planning a Philosophy Class: The Lesson Plan for"Dragons and Giants"

Read: Big Ideas, Ch. 6; TT, Ch. 4, Wartenberg "Perspectives"(ER)

6-Oct Getting Ready for MLK

Read: Big Ideas, chapters 7 and 8; TT Chapters 5 and 6;

VISIT FROM LAKIA STANTON< MLK Charter School

11-Oct Fall Break

For the next eight weeks, every Thursday we will leave from campus to travel to MLKCSE.

Our teaching sessions at the school will run from 2:10-2:55 p.m.

NOTE: IF MOUNTAIN DAY FALLS ON A THURSDAY, WE WILL MEET. I WILL GIVE YOU A DIFFERENT DAY OFF.

13-Oct Visit to MLK Charter School: Assemble in front of Pratt by 1:15. DO NOT BE LATE.

Read: MLK Materials on this website (look at the course page);

watch "Freedom Writers" (on ella under "Streaming Media Reserves")

18-Oct Planning for First Session at MLK! Remember that your Lesson Plan is due by noon. Come to class prepared with your questions about teaching "Dragons and Giants"

Read: "Ethics" in PP; David Pears, "The Anatomy of Courage" (ER)

20-Oct Teach "Dragons and Giants"

Remember the schedule of assignments that will hold from now on:

1. Lesson Plan due on Tuesday by noon (one per pair)

2. Journal entry due by Friday at 5:00 p.m. (each person)

3. Transcript due by Sunday at 10 pm (one per pair)

25-Oct Planning Meeting for "Frederick" Social and Political Philosophy

Read: "Social and Political Philosophy" in PP (*NB: There is a joke in this section about rape that is in incredibly poor taste.);"Guide for Levine" (ER)"Idleness" (ER); Arendt 'On Work"(ER);Big Ideas, chapter 9

27-Oct Teaching "Frederick"

1-Nov Planning Meeting for "The Important Book" Metaphysics

Read "Metaphysics" in PP; "Guide for Irving M. Copi" (ER): Copi, "Essence and Accident" (ER); Big Ideas, chapter 10

3-Nov BOOK MODULE RESEARCH

8-Nov Planning meeting for "The Important Book"

Assignment: Find Book for Your Own Module and submit your choice

10-Nov Teach "The Important Book"

15-Nov Planning Meeting for "Morris the Moose" Epistemology

Read "Epistemology" in PP; "Guide for Pojman and Quine"(ER);Pojman, "Foundationalism"(ER); Quine "Two Dogmas"(ER); Big Ideas, chapter 13;

17-Nov Teach "Morris the Moose"

22-Nov Book Module work

29-Nov Planning Meeting for "Emily's Art" Aesthetics

Read: "Guide for Stephen Davies"(ER);Davies, "Evaluation of Art" (ER); Big Ideas, chapter 15;

1-Dec Teach "Emily's Art"

6-Dec Planning Meeting for "The Giving Tree" Environmental Ethics

Read: "Guide for Taylor" (ER); Paul Taylor, "The Ethics of Respect for Nature" (ER); Big Ideas, chapter 12

8-Dec Teach "The Giving Tree" NO JOURNAL THIS WEEK

11-Dec ASSIGNMENT: DRAFT BOOK MODULE DUE BY 5:00

13-Dec Final Class

Plan Children's Visit to Campus

Read: Big Ideas, Chapter 17

15-Dec 9:30-11:50 a.m. MLKCSE Visit to MHC—Note Time and Date

Visit to Bio Labs, Art Museum, and Organ in the Chapel

Reception for students at 11 a.m. in Blanchard

16-Dec :: Assignment: Last day for Book Module Drafts

20-Dec Assignment: Final Book Module Due