Things Catholic, philosophical and educational

An interesting book crossed my path a few weeks ago: Recovering a Catholic Philosophy of Elementary Education by Professor Curtis Hancock of Rockhurst University, USA. It is published by Newman House Press. (See here and here for online reviews.)

It is striking to see a title which places words like 'Catholic', 'philosophy' and 'education' in one sentence. This is a pleasing reminder that education - and not just Catholic education - is first and foremost a philosophical endeavour. So often contemporary education is understood solely as a preparation for work and/or a training in so-called transferable skills.

What is striking about this short book is its clear critique of what have become the guiding poles of much contemporary educational thought. Hancock maps out the intellectual territory of Catholic education and identifies the implicitly and explicitly hostile ideologies which have encamped on this territory, often by innocent invitation. Hancock is not a contrarian but his book allows the reader to see just where and how certain fashionable viewpoints sit uneasily with the Catholic worldview.

The final chapter of the book is entitled 'Confronting the Idols of the Educational Tribe', a deliciously provocative look at the tension between Catholic ideas and the following themes: 1) values-neutral education; 2) the naturalist worldview; 3) the educational though of Rousseau and Dewey; 4) the question of truth; 5) Kohlberg's 'stages of moral development'; 6) Gardner's 'multiple intelligences' and 7) social construct theory (constructivism). There is much food for thought here for all educators…

The weakness (if we can call it that) of this book, paradoxically, is the title. It would be a great shame if only teachers in Catholic elementary schools were to read this book as its scope reaches far beyond elementary education and, indeed, Catholic education. It is a radical rethinking of the very soul of what has come to be known as 'progressive education'.

One last thought: Professor Hancock's book is not an obituary for a failed system; it is a manifesto for the future.

'Teaching the Tradition'

Recent years have seen the publication of a number of interesting volumes on Catholic education. For example, Stratford Caldecott's two books Beauty for Truth's Sake and Beauty in the Word offer some challenging perspectives on the unique Catholic vision of education. Alongside these two short monographs, the recently published Teaching the Tradition: Catholic Themes in Academic Disciplines  (Morey and Piderit, Eds.) is set to become a classic volume on education. I do not say this lightly, so let me explain.

The theme of Catholic education is never far from the surface of contemporary debate on education. It is right that this should be the case as the roots of modern education lie in the monastic schools which were dotted around Europe in medieval times. Catholic educational thought is hence the parent of education today!

Dr. Morey and Fr. Piderit's scholarly volume shows why any Catholic educational institution should do far more than simply add a course in 'Religious Education' or 'Theology' to a standard 'secular' curriculum. Catholic educators will be reminded of (or even introduced to) the distinctive Catholic approach to knowledge. Of course, there is no such thing as 'Catholic Maths' or 'Catholic Modern Languages': this is not a claim of the book. The Catholic educational body, rather, seeks to teach from a perspective which sees all knowledge as part of the revelation of God to humanity. This volume succeeds in setting out in an innovative way just how a Catholic (Higher) Education institution can configure a rigorous 'Catholic syllabus' in the tense, utilitarian and target-driven world of contemporary education.

If you know any teachers in Catholic schools or Higher Education institutions who are searching for good reading material for forthcoming winter staff development sessions, this book is worth a look. Its availability via Oxford Scholarship Online should help it gain a wide readership.

Back to School 2012

Across the world, schools, colleges and universities are returning to their mission of teaching and scholarship. The sense of renewal which affects educators at this time reminds us that good education is itself a process of on-going renewal of the human person in the light of the wisdom and traditions which we have been privileged to receive. As educators, despite the often dazzling mountains of forward-planning documents around us, we do not yet know what this academic year will bring: education, thankfully, is full of surprises. What we can do, however, is to constantly seek excellence in our profession, both in the 'grand' schemes and in the minutiae of daily life. Most of all, let us treasure the opportunity we have been given to help young (and not so young) people in their integral formation. This is how we can  - and should - make a difference.

'Taking Education Seriously' has not published over the summer months. Normal service is now resuming. Many heartfelt thanks to all who consult this blog and send me their comments and thoughts. I wish you all a good 'academic' new year.