StudyQA — Master: Philosophy in Education

Description Contents Requirements

The course combines taught modules carefully focused on topics on the A level syllabus with a module on Teaching Philosophy, which includes a qualification in SAPEREs Philosophy for children methodology. It is suitable both for those with previous education in philosophy, and those seeking a rigorous introduction.

By the end of the course, students will have a good understanding of the structure, syllbus, assessment objectives, expectations, teaching methods, and examination of A level philosophy. Students will also learn the basic logical notions and the skills neccessary for successful philosophical argument.

The MA consists of four modules and a dissertation. Three of your four modules are shared with students taking MA Philosophy. One of these Knowledge and Reality is compulsory, the other two are chosen from a range of options, including ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, logic and language, and philosophy of mind and psychology. By agreement, it may be possible for you, if you prefer, to select a module from one of the other MA courses at Heythrop.

The fourth module, Teaching Philosophy, taught over four Saturdays in one term, is distinctive to this degree. It combines in-depth discussion of A level philosophy requirements and resources, training in teaching generic philosophical skills of reasoning and argument, and a Level 1 qualification from SAPERE in the Philosophy for Children methodology.

The dissertation involves a substantial independent investigation of a topic selected by you with the approval of your supervisor. Usually, it will build on one or more of your taught modules.

Sessions are normally designed to be interactive, with input from lecturers providing an overall perspective but incorporating discussion. Coursework tasks are designed to help you learn. Much of your learning takes place through directed reading in preparation for the seminars. Tutorials on work in progress contribute to deepening your understanding.The skills you have developed will prepare you for a substantial individual task when you complete your dissertation.The weekly 2-hour classes fall on one evening a week if you are part-time and two evenings if you are full time. Additionally, you will attend tutorials to discuss work completed or in progress, and meetings with a supervisor in relation to the dissertation. You will need to spend about six hours in each week for each module on directed reading in preparation for classes, and a similar amount of time some of it out of term-time on researching for and writing your coursework assignments and essays.Assessment for the topic based modules is by a combination of coursework tasks completed during or shortly after the period of module teaching and an end of year essay for each module studied. The coursework tasks vary and could include reviews and reports as well as essays. Teaching Philosophy is assessed by a variety of coursework tasks, which will include exercises in argument, reflection on personal practice, and designing a Philosophy for Children enquiry. In addition, you complete a 12-15,000 word dissertation on a research topic agreed with your supervisor.