A Primer For Philosophy And Education

"Sam Rocha's primer reminds me of a French adage: la philo descends dans la rue-- philosophy comes to the street. Rocha's little book can be read and talked about, with profit, on the street, in the home, in the school, in the garden, anywhere the human heart beats and the human mind thinks." --David T. Hansen, Weinburg Professor in the History and Philosophy of Education, Teachers College Columbia University "Rocha gives us a compelling experience of first-hand philosophizing, in which the ordinary is shown in its powerful features, and the discipline of philosophy of education reclaims its necessity." --Cristina Cammarano, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Salisbury University "Rocha's illustrated primer is an eye-opening introduction to the philosophy of education. And, unlike too many illustrated texts, its pen and ink drawings are a thought provoking complement to this highly readable introduction." --David Mosley, Professor of Philosophy, Bellarmine University "An elegantly written invitation to students and the general reader to a frame of mind where one is ready to learn from and think about philosophy and education. Sam Rocha calls us all back, in heart-felt yet precise prose, to philosophy's ancient role of dialogue, wonder, and reflection. A joy to read and treasure." --AG Rud, Distinguished Professor, Washington State University "A charming and clearly written introduction to the philosophy of education, inspired by the writings of William James." --Graham Harman, Associate Provost for Research Administration and Professor of Philosophy, The American University in Cairo

Christians have a unique role to play in the future of our schools, and Dr. Riesens refreshingly honest inquiry into the relationship between the spiritual life and the academic enterprise is guaranteed to provoke discussion. Chapters include what makes an education Christian, what the liberal arts have to do with Christianity, and whether Christian education can be too academic. This is a must read for anyone who cares about what it means to educate.

Highly praised by reviewers for its coverage, accessibility, and usefulness, LEARNING TO PHILOSOPHIZE: A PRIMER provides grounding in philosophical thinking and the issues important in any introductory survey or moral issues course. With topics that are typical for introductory classes, the author guides the students through reading selections critically. Designed to effectively introduce students to the contemporary analytical methods or the process of philosophizing, this concise text is an extremely flexible teaching tool that can be used in combination with classic texts, a coursepack, or a standard textbook.

Three issues feature as the central themes throughout this book: the nature of social science in general; the nature of educational enquiry in particular; and the links between the language and concepts of research, on the one hand, and those of practice and policy on the other. In analyzing and interrelating these themes, Richard Pring shows their relationship to such central philosophical concepts as meaning, truth, and objectivity. This lucid and ambitious study will be seen as a classic of educational literature. Reviews of the first edition include: "A stimulating and readable book...Pring gives a succinct account of the different philosophical positions and makes a balanced evaluation of their strong and weak points...should be compulsory reading for all trainee teachers let alone educational researchers." -Dr Paul Martinez, Learning and Skills Development Agency Reviews Editor "This volume is a textbook and a manifesto, and research students will welcome the clarity with which the various concepts, tools and approaches are outlined. Most teachers will be stimulated by it." - Times Educational Supplement "Professor Pring's work is far more than the title modestly claims it to be. As much a primer in philosophy of education as a specialist work on the philosophy of educational research it is lucid and concise on topics ranging from the aim[s] of education to the nature of knowledge." - Education Review

A collection of essays composed during the Obama presidency on politics, theology, art, and education. Social and political critique, pastoral philosophy, postmodern theology, deschooling, and folk phenomenology: Rocha's essays in Tell Them Something Beautiful cover a range of topics and ideas, held together by his literary style and integrated point of view.

The studies of philosophy and history of education are under siege. These studies do not attract large grant funds and, to many, do not seem useful, even while much of educational research is dismissed as inconsequential or self-evident and the crisis in American education deepens. Philosophy and history of education have therefore been pushed to the margin--or beyond--in colleges and schools of education, commensurate with the "decline of the humanities" in higher education generally. Philosophy and History of Education examines the complex relationship between these studies, and the value of these related studies for improving educational knowledge, policy, and practice. From diverse perspectives, the philosophers and historians in this volume explore how bringing these disciplines together yields insights about unacknowledged or occult aspects of education problems that neither could achieve on their own.