Write an essay exploring the following:
What is your philosophy of education? What should be the purpose of education, the curriculum, and the pedagogical approach? Where do you place your philosophy in terms of the traditions and why? That is, which tradition (including sub-tradition) do you situate yourself in: Human capital theory, Liberal humanism, Conservative humanism, Progressivism, or Social reconstructionism/critical humanism? Is your philosophy of education consistent with the values and principles of democracy? That is, what are the public reasons that justify your philosophy?
Doctoral Level Requirements: Each essay should be 16 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font. Doctoral students are required to demonstrate mastery of the course material by providing coherent, compelling and detailed philosophical analysis and argumentation in support of their paper thesis. In addition to references to the required course materials, Doctoral students are required to research and apply outside primary and secondary sources. The essays should be at a level of sophistication, in terms of style, analysis, argumentation, and background knowledge, of a doctoral level academic and/or professional.
Essay Evaluation Guidelines
Content: The essay demonstrates understanding of the issues in question. Important terms are defined and used correctly. The essay demonstrates knowledge of the course readings. The argument logically supports the thesis, and claims are backed up by evidence and/or logical argument. The writer provides a clearly articulated and strongly argued position relative to the question.
Style: The essay presents a clear thesis statement and sound organizational structure. Transitions between paragraphs are smooth and logical. The conclusion makes a strong, brief restatement of the argument. There are few if any mechanical errors that distract from the content (e.g., grammar and spelling).
A strong defense entails both an argument in support of your position and refutation of competing positions. Remember to support your opinion through logic and/or evidence rather than merely asserting your opinion. Also a part of defending your opinion is to refute the opinions of others, so be sure to refute the alternative perspectives you do not choose as well as defending your choice. Ask yourself: Is my argument for the perspective I have chosen convincing? (Or is my refutation of competing perspectives compelling?) Reference to the course readings and class notes/discussions is required.
Note on References: If you are referring to the course material, which you should, then you can just note in parentheses the author, publication and page number, e.g., (Dewey, Child and Curriculum, p. 3). If you use outside sources, then provide a complete reference using APA or other accepted system
Doctoral Essay Evaluation Rubric:
| A | B to C range | |
| Strong Thesis Statement, developed through paper and answering question | Develops a valid and innovative thesis; answers research question in a philosophically sophisticated way; detailed argument developed throughout the paper and culminating in reasonable and insightful conclusions. | Lacks developed thesis and/or fails to answer the stated question.
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| Disciplinary content knowledge demonstrated | Uses relevant citations to the course materials and outside primary and secondary sources presented in such a way as to demonstrate a significant understanding of them. | Includes inadequate citations and/or lacks significant understanding of them. |
| Contextualized in discipline | Nuanced contextualization, including theoretical, political economic, historical, and educational. | Does not adequately contextualize |
| Theoretical development | Creates a clear, supported and developed theoretical framework that is valid and insightful, and includes detailed and sophisticated theoretical analysis and interpretation | Lacks appropriate theoretical framework, and/or theory underdeveloped, and/or lacks theoretical analysis and interpretation of data |
| Writing | Demonstrates strong, systematic, intentional sentence structure, paragraph structure (with transitions), overall organizational structure; conventional or intentional spelling, grammatical, and punctuation conventions; approved citation style; copyedited and proofread. | Demonstrates unacceptable professional writing skills in terms of grammar, spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, overall organization, transitions, systematic citation, and/or copyediting & proofreading. |