Module 4 - Foundations of Holistic Education – 3 Credits

Neohumanist education is developing at a particular point in history.  Part of an emerging international "holistic" education movement, it shares many ideas with other progressive educational experiments, and offers its own unique ideas as well.  This unit is an introduction to basic philosophical and historical ideas in the field of holistic education.

Study includes some of the major philosophical categories that need to be part of an educational theory, and the student compares and contrasts different philosophical perspectives.  Some philosophical categories and the questions relevant to them include: Ontology (What does it mean to be human?  What is the nature of reality?); Epistemology (What is knowledge?  How is it constructed?  What knowledge is of most worth?  How do we assess "truth claims"?); Axiology (What are the values we hold?  How are values derived? How do they differ from culture to culture?  How are values best taught?); Psychology (How does the mind work?  What is the relation between mind and brain?  What do we know about consciousness?).  Etc.  Different philosophical traditions (such as the traditional, the essentialist, the behaviourist, the romantic, the progressive, the radical, and the transcendental developmental) have very different ideas about each of these categories.  It is important to develop a neohumanist philosophy of education that addresses these elements. 

As part of the study of the "foundations of education", the student is introduced to educational history.  Education as we know it has emerged historically; that is it reflects the needs, desires and interests of its time.  It also reflects the conflicts between social classes, ethnic groups, and differing ideologies (such as between Marxism and capitalism).  It is important to understand why holistic education in general, and specifically NH education, is emerging at this point in the planet's history.  What are some of the characteristics of the current historical moment?  What does NH education have to offer at this point in history?


·        Elements of Philosophical Analysis

·        History of Education

·        Holistic Education

·        Neohumanist Education

·        Introduction to Shrii PR Sarkar and NHE

·        Philosophic Foundations of NHE

·        Principles of NHE


Competency in Foundations of Holistic Education

The student  teacher has an understanding of the basic philosophical categories underlying an education system and is able to apply this knowledge to their study of different education systems.  The teacher has a broad understanding of the history of education and the development and principles of holistic education.  In particular the teacher has an understanding of the principles of Neohumanist Education, how it compares and/or contrasts with other holistic education movements, and its relevance for today's world.