GENERAL GOAL This course is designed to emphasize how philosophical ideas about education developed over a considerable period. This course also will address how historical influences, settings, and ideas have influenced and continue to have relevance for education and life today. Emphasis will be placed on helping students develop ideas about education and provide tools to use in thinking about issues in education. Study of philosophical theories will assist in understanding the source of many popular opinions and perceptions regarding education: the anxiety that education is adrift the concern that educational aims are vague, conflicting, and not conducive to loyalty beliefs that standards have been seriously replaced uncertainty about the role of education in a democratic society concern that schools give students too much freedom and do not foster