Philosophy of Education

Fall Semester
	SR		4901		Graduate School Preparation I: GRE Prep (2 Credits)
	SR		4121		Education I: Foundations (3 Credits)
	SR		4122		Education II: Foundations (3 Credits)
	EL				Elective (2 Credits)
	EL				Elective (2 Credits)
Winter Semester
	SR		4902		Graduate School Preparation II: GRE Prep (2 Credits)
	SR		4903		GRE Exam (2 Credits)
	SR		4129		Education Internship (4 Credits)
	SR		4995		Senior Thesis (2 Credits)
	SR		4999		Oral Defense (2 Credits)

 

SR4901 Graduate School Preparation I: GRE Prep (2 credits)

Whether or not students choose to attend Graduate School after George Wythe, they will all prepare for and take the GRE as part of their senior year studies. Students will enroll in an assigned online GRE Prep course that runs for approximately two four-month sessions.

The Texts of this course will be the first half of an actual GRE prep course online.

SR4121 Education I: Foundations (3 Credits)

It has been argued that America is highly trained but poorly educated. In this course, students will grapple with the difference between training and education, they will determine whether or not the first statement is true, and they will be expected to come up with some of their own solutions to improving education and training. From some of the earliest ideas of Western education, to some of the most cutting edge concepts being promoted worldwide, students will take a close look at where education has been, where it is now, and where it needs to go to optimize human potential, wealth freedom and happiness.

• The Republic, by Plato
• Meno, by Plato
• Nicomachean Ethics, by Aristotle
• Emile, by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
• Sesame and Lilies, by John Ruskin
• The Education of Henry Adams, by Henry Adams
• A Thomas Jefferson Education, by Oliver DeMIlle
• Multiple Intelligences, by Howard Gardner

 

SR4122 Education II: Foundations (3 Credits)

This course builds on Foundations I, by looking even more closely at the various educational ideas born in the 19th and 20th Centuries. By the time this course concludes, students will better understand the current educational systems in American and in the world. They will become familiar with many of the most popular ideas for improving education, and they will again be asked to participate in the dialogue that is shaping educational policy right now and in the future.

• The Closing of the American Mind, by Alan Bloom
• And There Was Light, by Jacques Lusseyran
• Reforming Education, by Mortimer J. Adler
• Dumbing Us Down, by John Taylor Gatto
• Democracy and Education, by Dewey
• Teacher in America, by Jacques Barzun
• Irrigating Desserts, Essays on Education by C.S. Lewis
• An Education for Our Time, by Josiah Bunting Elective

 

Elective (2 credits)

Students may choose preexisting electives related to their emphasis, or work with a mentor to design an elective best suited to their interests and needs.

 

Elective (2 credits)

Students may choose preexisting electives related to their emphasis, or work with a mentor to design an elective best suited to their interests and needs.

 

SR4902 Graduate School Preparation II: GRE Prep (2 Credits)

Whether or not students choose to attend Graduate School after George Wythe, they will all prepare for and take the GRE as part of their senior year studies. Students will enroll in an assigned online GRE Prep course that runs for approximately two four-month sessions. The Texts of this course will be the second half of an actual GRE prep course online.

 

SR4903 GRE Exam (2 Credits)

In this course, students will actually take the GRE examination from an approved third-party organization. An official document of student test results must be submitted to the mentor before this course will be counted as complete.

 

SR4129 Education Internship (4 Credits)

This course requires each student to set up an internship or field experience in the area of their chosen emphasis. Students will be encouraged to set up an internship that will help them gain experience, meet key people, gain allies and personal connections for assistance in future projects, and learn the workings, language and processes of their chosen emphasis. Throughout the process of designing and arranging the internship, students should work with their mentor, follow internship guidelines, and receive approval from their mentor. Students will also meet regularly with a GW mentor and with other interning students throughout the internship process.

To complete this course, students must:

• Find an internship with an educator, or submit a project.
• Work a minimum of 320 hours as an intern within a 5 month period.
• Find a mentor from that firm or field, and meet with them regarding your preparations weekly.
• Meet with a GW Mentor over the phone, internet, or in person regarding your progress weekly.
• Keep an Internship Journal and submit it to your mentor for review at the internship's conclusion.
• Write an internship report at the conclusion that details lessons learned from the experience.

 

SR4995 Senior Thesis (2 Credits)

Submit a quality paper to be kept on file as the best work of your undergraduate years. You may also submit a project summary to fill this requirement. Students are required to submit a Senior Thesis or a detailed description and analysis of a Senior Project. This paper or project description should be the student's best work, show outside observers the quality of depth and breadth gained, and highlight his or her academic maturity. Students should plan to spend a minimum of 48 hours completing this course under the direction of their mentor.

Basic guidelines for the Senior Thesis are detailed in the syllabus.

 

SR4999 Oral Defense (2 Credits)

Each student must defend his or her degree program by taking an oral examination administered in person or online by a board of mentors. Students will be asked to show familiarity and competency in each area of their undergraduate program. They will also be asked to defend their senior year emphasis and their senior thesis for quality, effectiveness and relevancy.

Submit to an Oral Defense administered by a two-four mentor panel. You will prove competency in each of the required subject areas of your undergraduate degree. The Oral Defense carries with it a $75.00 fee each time it is taken (fees for this class are subject to change).

 

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