40 Questions
What is the primary focus of the curriculum taught by Ecclesiastical Perennialists?
Developing intellect while stressing faith and reason
Who is the patron saint of Catholic schools, colleges, and universities?
St. Thomas Aquinas
What is the name of the program that identifies 100 classic literature books to cultivate students' intellect and civilization?
The Great Books of the Western World Program
What are the three R's associated with Perennialist intellectual skills?
Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic
What is the primary goal of the Lay Perennialist curriculum?
To cultivate students' intellect and civilization
What is a key aspect of the Lay Perennialist curriculum?
Liberal arts and sciences, including philosophy and mathematics
Why have Perennialists adopted a more uniform approach to curriculum in the last 100 years?
To reflect the idea of a one-size-fits-all mentality
What distinguishes Ecclesiastical Perennialists from Lay Perennialists?
Their emphasis on faith and reason versus liberal arts and sciences
What are the primary goals of schooling according to Perennialists?
To search for universal truths and absolutes
Perennialism is rooted in which schools of thought?
Idealism, Realism, and Neo-Thomism
What is the educational focus of Perennialism?
On finding universal truths and absolutes
What is the classification of Perennialism as a theory of education?
Conservative
What is the role of the teacher in Perennialism?
To transmit knowledge and values
What is the focus of the curriculum in Perennialism?
On universal truths and absolutes
What is the primary goal of instruction in Perennialism?
To transmit knowledge and values
Who are the key proponents of Perennialism?
Not specified in the chapter
What is the primary focus of a Perennialist teacher at the elementary level?
Management and teaching of basic educational skills
What is the primary source of material used in Perennialist instruction?
Classical literature from Western civilization
What is the role of the teacher in a Perennialist classroom?
Authority figure and disseminator of truth
What method of instruction is used to help students think rationally?
Socratic Method
What is the primary goal of teaching questioning strategies in Perennialist instruction?
To facilitate meaningful dialogue about classical literature
Which of the following philosophers is associated with the Ecclesiastic Perennialist position?
St. Thomas Aquinas
According to Adler, what is the role of the teacher as a seminar leader?
To illustrate the power of the literature being read through questioning
According to the Perennialist philosophy, what is the basis of education?
The search for truth
What is the primary purpose of the Socratic Method in Perennialist instruction?
To encourage students to think critically
Who is credited with proposing a curriculum based on the 'Great Books' of Western civilization?
Robert M. Hutchins
What is the term for the method of instruction that involves asking students questions to facilitate critical thinking?
Socratic Method
What did Robert M. Hutchins call the core courses in liberal arts whose content did not change?
The Permanent Studies
Who were the two historical philosophers who greatly influenced the development of Perennialism?
St. Thomas Aquinas and Jacques Maritain
What is the primary goal of education according to Perennialism?
To develop the mind
Who is associated with the Lay (secular) Perennialist position?
Robert M. Hutchins
What is the focus of the Perennialist philosophy of education?
The search for truth and understanding
What is the common opposition of Adler and Hutchins regarding curricula?
Access to the same high-quality education for all students
What is the main concern of Allan Bloom in his book 'The Closing of the American Mind'?
Cultural illiteracy among university students
What is the solution proposed by Allan Bloom to address the crisis of cultural illiteracy?
Teaching and learning about the 'Great Books'
Who is the author of the book 'The Closing of the American Mind'?
Allan Bloom
What is the main idea behind the philosophy of Perennialism?
Teaching and learning about the 'Great Books'
What is the primary concern of Perennialists regarding education?
Preserving and transmitting cultural heritage
What is the context in which Allan Bloom's book 'The Closing of the American Mind' is set?
University education
What is the common goal of Adler, Hutchins, and Bloom regarding education?
Providing access to high-quality education for all students
Study Notes
Perennialism
- Perennialism is a conservative theory of education rooted in idealism, realism, and neo-Thomism.
- The educational focus of Perennialism is on finding universal truths and absolutes associated with reason and faith.
Types of Perennialism
- Ecclesiastical Perennialists:
- Followed a Christian doctrine.
- Curriculum focused on developing intellect while stressing faith and reason by creating a relationship with God.
- Stressed the use of scriptures, catechism, and instruction on Christian dogma.
- Noted ecclesiastical philosopher: St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274).
- Lay (Secular) Perennialists:
- Emphasized a strong liberal arts curriculum that included:
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- History
- Geography
- Political science
- Sociology
- Theology
- Languages and literature
- Physical and life sciences
- Fine arts and humanities
- Focused on cultivating students' intellect and civilization.
- Used the Great Books of the Western World Program to identify 100 classic literature books to be taught.
- Emphasized a strong liberal arts curriculum that included:
Curriculum and Instruction
- Perennialist teachers focus on management and teaching of basic educational skills at the elementary level.
- Use of the "Great Books" of Western civilization to support education.
- Instructional methods:
- Didactic instruction
- Coaching
- Socratic Method
- Importance of critical thinking and questioning strategies in Perennialist classrooms.
Teacher's Role
- Perennialist teachers are seen as authority figures in the classroom.
- Teachers act as seminar leaders or coaches to disseminate truth and guide students in critical thinking.
- Use of questioning strategies, such as the Socratic Method, to help students think rationally.
Key Educators
- Historically, Perennialism reflects the views of:
- Plato
- Aristotle
- Influential philosophers:
- St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274)
- Jacques Maritain (1882-1973)
- Lay (Secular) philosophers:
- Robert M. Hutchins (1899-1977)
- Argued for a curriculum based on the "Great Books" of Western civilization.
- Proposed the "permanent studies" - core courses in liberal arts whose content did not change.
- Mortimer Adler
- Allan Bloom
- Advocated for teaching and learning about the "Great Books" to address "cultural illiteracy" in society.
- Robert M. Hutchins (1899-1977)
This chapter explores Perennialism, one of the six philosophies of education, providing a framework for educators to determine broad issues, teaching and learning processes, and activities to stress in schools and classrooms.
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