EED 2013: Introduction to Teaching and Learning in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Society

Resources to help you with Prof. Herschell's class

Perennialism in Education

"For Perennialists, the aim of education is to ensure that students acquire understandings about the great ideas of Western civilization. These ideas have the potential for solving problems in any era. The focus is to teach ideas that are everlasting, to seek enduring truths which are constant, not changing, as the natural and human worlds at their most essential level, do not change. Teaching these unchanging principles is critical. Humans are rational beings, and their minds need to be developed. Thus, cultivation of the intellect is the highest priority in a worthwhile education. The demanding curriculum focuses on attaining cultural literacy, stressing students' growth in enduring disciplines. The loftiest accomplishments of humankind are emphasized– the great works of literature and art, the laws or principles of science."

 

Erickson, J. (n.d.). Educational philosophies definitions and comparison chart. "Perennialism."  https://web.augsburg.edu/~erickson/edc490/downloads/comparison_edu_philo.pdf