PHIL 205 A Au 23: Philosophy For Children

Course Description

This course is a workshop in doing philosophy with children. Students will be introduced to the methods and practices of doing philosophy with young people. Philosophy for Children is an instructional theory and methodology for bringing philosophy into the lives of pre-college students. It emphasizes “doing philosophy” over “studying philosophy;” instead of reading Plato, for instance, young people explore the same sorts of questions that intrigued Plato through the creative use of literature, classroom games, and collaborative exercises. Philosophy for Children stresses the development of a “community of inquiry” in which budding philosophers are encouraged to ask their own relevant questions, to develop their views and articulate reasons for them, and to listen and learn from one another. In many ways, this course is an introduction to philosophy through children’s literature and classroom activities.  Students successfully completing this course will have explored many of the perennial concerns of philosophy in a manner that is consistent with approaches used to introduce pre-college students to philosophy and philosophical inquiry.

Course Objectives:

This workshop will give students:

• A general understanding of ways to facilitate philosophy sessions in K-12 classrooms;
• An awareness of the philosophical content of children’s literature and the pedagogical and philosophical issues involved in doing philosophy with children using children’s books;
• An introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of philosophy for children;
• Skills and experience participating in philosophy discussions;
• Engagement in the philosophical and pedagogical questions raised by children’s philosophical propensities and the community of philosophical inquiry; and
• Experience creating a philosophy lesson plan for pre-college students.

A full copy of the syllabus that includes all course policies and assignments is available here.