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iCal calendarThe speaker of this "Inimkond" seminar is Prof. Tero Autio from Tallinn University, who will be talking at 6 p.m. in room A-447 about What is Curriculum Theory?
Abstract
In most countries and civilizations, we all come into the world through curriculum. In its early modern versions in the 18th & 19th centuries, curriculum was conceived of a main vehicle to guarantee the survival of the human species by artificial, mass-scale learning arrangements - called school. Curriculum and its justification as the core of the school and any other educational institution was seen in its double role to reinstate the most worthwhile achievements in human history this far, in tandem with the future prospects of the nation, culture, or humankind at large, through institutional education. In evolutionary terms, curriculum was ideally considered an intellectual and institutional vehicle to recapitulate phylogenetic or 'race' development in ontogenetic or individual development. That abstract survival kit, as a modern and secular curriculum framework, would render an historical springboard for a myriad of contested conceptions of education and curriculum.
From the current point of view, I will draw on two (or emerging three?) major conceptions of curriculum theory and their education policy manifestations: European Bildung/Didaktik tradition and Anglophone Curriculum. These are different intellectual systems with respectively dissimilar education policy implications. This geography of education and curriculum dominated strongly after WWII. Later, the Anglophone theoretical and policy initiatives were increasingly challenged by the intellectual resurrection processes of European theories (Bildung, obrazovanije, haridus, sivistys, utbildning). The most recent and parallel impulse against the present Anglophone global dominance comes from China, where Chinese curriculum theory is revitalising Chinese wisdom traditions (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism) in education in general and as a guiding image of the teacher against 'technicist' Anglophone policy views where the main task of the teacher is to teach for tests.
About the speaker:
Tero Autio is Professor of Curriculum Theory at Tallinn University.
See http://www.tlu.ee/en/News/826/tero-henrik-autio-elected-as-professor-of-curriculum-theory
About the seminar series:
Inimkond: current issues in anthropology and beyond
fortnightly on Wednesdays, 18.00 – 20.00
full program at http://www.tlu.ee/en/estonian-institute-of-humanities/Anthropology/inimkond
This seminar series features speakers from anthropology and related fields, and fosters discussion of their research with a transdisciplinary audience. It aims to contribute to the culture of academic scholarship and debate at Tallinn University. Speakers include both local researchers and guests from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and with various takes on anthropological theory and methods. Presentations in the seminar series will be of interest to staff and students in anthropology, cultural theory, sociology, and history, among others.