Three Steps to a Humanistic Education
First Step: Knowledge
In the Knowledge class the students begin to learn how knowledge is constructed and how to critically evaluate knowledge claims. Students learn to analyze the arguments of others and to construct their own thoughtful arguments in response.
- Critical Thinking
- Darwin’s Tea Party
- Media Knowledge
- Reading the Past
- The Big Questions in Philosophy
- The Evolution of Human Rights
- Ways of Knowing
- Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
Second Step: World Views
In the World Views class students learn what defines a world view. Tradition, education, religion, political structure, economics, gender and historical context all contribute to the construction of an outlook on the world. Moreover, they learn that a world view is a human creation and therefore that we are not hapless victims of the world we find ourselves in, but rather that we give shape to our world.
A Sample of Some World View Courses:
- Educating Young Children
- Green Living
- Indigenous People
- The Scientific World View
- Plato’s World
- Social Themes in European Art
- War, Peace and World Views
- World Views in Science, Myth and Religion
Third Step: Applied Ethics
In the Applied Ethics class, students consolidate their critical power of argument and realization of their ability to effect change in an exploration of their responsibilities to do so. They will study ethical theories, identify conflicts in values, analyze ethical issues pertinent to their program and formulate solutions to ethical problems. Here the humanistic values of thoughtful reasoning, tolerance and open mindedness are once again applied to practical issues and problems.
- (Dis) Information
- Ethical Issues in Poverty and the Law
- Ethics of War
- Medical Ethics
- The Sorcerer’s Feast: Ethical Issues in Globalization
- Plato’s Republic
- Morality and the Renaissance
- Ethical Issues and the Mass Media
For more information, contact the Humanities/Philosophy secretary Catherine Alleyne at calleyne@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
