University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module focuses on an educational approach to learning called Philosophy for Children (P4C). P4C is a form of inquiry-based learning that encourages critical thinking through democratic dialogue. It has been used as a tool to promote public philosophy and is informed by John Dewey's commitment to civic education. It is a pedagogy that helps to foster critical, creative, and caring thinking skills amongst all types of learners. Through this internationally-practised pedagogy, groups of learners become ‘communities of inquiry’, tackling philosophical questions they themselves identify and formulate. Through thinking together, these communities learn to challenge assumptions, give reasons, and cultivate their critical thinking skills. The module will provide students with a theoretical introduction to the P4C pedagogy, the opportunity to experience the pedagogy as members of a community of inquiry, and the skills needed to become a P4C facilitator. Students will develop their own facilitation practice by delivering P4C workshops (in pairs) to groups of 3rd, 4th and 5th class students (7-11 year olds) from a primary school located in Galway City
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Articulate the basic tenets of the P4C pedagogy and apply these tenets in a classroom context.
  2. Reflect systematically on the P4C pedagogy and on their own practice as P4C facilitators.
  3. Critically assess the role of philosophy in general educational contexts.
  4. Explore emerging tensions between theory and practice.
  5. Interrogating the role of public philosophy and civic education.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (60%)
  • Department-based Assessment (40%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "The Routledge International Handbook of Philosophy for Children," by Maughn Rollins Gregory,Joanna Haynes,Karin Murris
    ISBN: ISBN: 978113.
    Publisher: Routledge
    Chapters: All
  2. "In Community of Inquiry with Ann Margaret Sharp, Routledge International Studies in the Philosophy of Education" by Ann Margaret Sharp
    ISBN: 978113.
    Publisher: Routledge
    Chapters: All
  3. "Higher Education and Civic Engagement" by Lorraine McIlrath,Ann Lyons,Ronaldo Munck
    ISBN: 9780230340374.
    Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
  4. "History, Theory and Practice of Philosophy for Children" by Saeed Naji,Rosnani Hashim
    ISBN: 9781138631625.
    Publisher: Routledge
  5. "The Philosophy of Childhood," by Matthews, Gareth
    Publisher: Harvard University Press Harvard
  6. "Thinking in Education" by Lipman, Matthew
    Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  7. "Philosophy Goes to School" by Lipman, Matthew
    Publisher: Temple University Press
  8. "Philosophy in Schools," by Goering, Sara
    Publisher: Routledge
  9. "Democracy and Education" by John Dewey
    ISBN: 978193604187.
    Publisher: Simon and Brown
  10. "Philosophy in the classroom" by Lipman, Matthew, Ann Margaret Sharp, and Frederick S. Oscanya
    Publisher: Temple University Press
The above information outlines module PI6111: "Public Philosophy and Civic Education" and is valid from 2021 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.