CEEF6301 PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Disclaimer: This syllabus is intended to give the student a general idea of the content, format,
and textbooks used for this class. The professor will submit a full syllabus at the beginning of
the class which will contain a course schedule and the instructor’s information.
Course Description
This course is a study of educational philosophies that have influenced Christian education because of their
respective responses to the metaphysical, epistemological and axiological questions. The study provides an
investigation into the contemporary influence of alternative philosophies on the ministry of Christian education.
Course Requirements
1. Students will complete a reading contract as follows: (Grades may be reduced due to inferior work)
A = Read both texts and review each (100)
B = Read both texts and review one (92)
C = Read both texts (84)
D = Read parts of either text (76)
F = Less than above (0)
Book reviews will be 3 to 5 pages, typed, and double-spaced. Follow the appropriate Turabian guidelines except that
first person is allowed. Each review should include a brief statement of purpose, a broad synopsis of content, a
developed analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the content, and an evaluation of the success of the author
concerning his purpose. When submitting your review(s) on Blackboard also indicate which contract you have
chosen.
Due Date: The reviews should be submitted on or before the last day of the class. No late submissions will be
accepted.
2. Students will write five Position Papers and a Personal Philosophy of Education. These works should be typed and
double-spaced following the guidelines of the current edition of Turabian with the proper NOBTS cover page. These
works, by their nature, may be in first person.
Due Date: These should be submitted in Blackboard on the dates indicated in the course unit steps.
3. Students will successfully complete twelve quizzes and two exams. These are to be completed by the dates
indicated in the course unit steps.
4. Students will be required to participate in a Threaded Discussion for each of the twelve units. These are to be
accomplished by the dates indicated in the course unit steps.
Course Outline
Unit I: Introduction
Unit II: Basic Philosophical Concepts
Unit III: Idealism
Unit IV: Realism
Unit V: Neo-Scholasticism
Unit VI: Pragmatism
Unit VII: Existentialism
Unit VIII: Progressivism
Unit IX: Perennialism
Unit X: Essentialism
Unit XI: Reconstructionism
Unit XII: Behaviorism
Required Texts
Pazmiño, Robert. God Our Teacher: Theological Basics in Christian Education. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2001.
Knight, George R.Philosophy & Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective, 4th ed. Berrien Springs,
MI: Andrews University Press, 2006.
Objectives
By the end of this course, the student should:
1. Be able to apply knowledge of how philosophy works; understandings of the basic philosophical questions of
metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology; and knowledge of the major philosophical movements and their
educational implications to Christian practice in the church and to personal living.
2. Value the study of philosophy and its implication in the practice of education.
3. Be able to formalize a personal philosophy of education on a rudimentary level.
Grading Scale
Reading Contract
Position Papers
Quizes
Exams
Threaded Discussion
Personal Philosophy
Total
10%
20%
10%
20%
20%
20%
100%
Netiquette Statement on Appropriate Online Behavior
Each student is expected to demonstrate appropriate Christian behavior when working
online on the Discussion Board. The student is expected to interact with other students in a
fashion that will promote learning and respect for the opinions of others in the course. A spirit
of Christian charity will be expected at all times in the online environment.