The Foundations of Education is an exciting course that provides an overview of some of the important features of an education system. It also provides opportunities to examine and analyze important aspects of your own educational system regardless of where you operate and regardless of the prevailing cultural, ideological and material backgrounds. Topics will be discussed from various theoretical and ideological perspectives. Consequently, there will be scope for you to argue or present your situation from a perspective of your own choosing. As this is a graduate course, it is important, however, for you to be open-minded and receptive to other perspectives even if you do not agree with them. Examination of topics will occur largely within the context of perspectives on education.

You will learn a great deal of valuable information, but most importantly, we will address the practical application of the course content. To this end, your own experiences and knowledge about your education system will prove indispensable.

Textbooks

Foundations of Education: The making of an education system by Leon A. Barrett, Sr., VLS Educational Services, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-926633-14-5 (This book can be ordered from Titles Bookstore McMaster University, 905-525-9140 EXT 24751 or online at http://titles.mcmaster.ca/trade/details.htm?isbn=9781926633145 )

Educational Foundations: An Anthology of Critical Readings, Second Edition. Edited by Alan S. Canestrari& Bruce A. Marlowe. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC: SAGE Publications, Inc. 2010. ISBN: 978-1-4129-7438-7