EssentialismEssentialism

William BagleyWilliam Bagley

PhilosophyPhilosophy

Essentialism is a uniquely American Essentialism is a uniquely American philosophy of education which began in the philosophy of education which began in the 1930’s and 1940’s as a reaction to what 1930’s and 1940’s as a reaction to what was seen as a overemphasis on a child-was seen as a overemphasis on a child-centered approach to education and a centered approach to education and a concern that students were not gaining concern that students were not gaining appropriate knowledge in schools.appropriate knowledge in schools.

The two origins of essentialism is from The two origins of essentialism is from idealism and realism.idealism and realism.

Essentialist believe that there exist a Essentialist believe that there exist a critical core of information and skill that an critical core of information and skill that an educated person must have. educated person must have.

PhilosopherPhilosopher

William Bagley introduced the William Bagley introduced the philosophy of essentialism in philosophy of essentialism in education in the 1930’s. Then education in the 1930’s. Then essentialism was criticized as essentialism was criticized as being too rigid to prepare being too rigid to prepare students adequately for adult students adequately for adult life.life.

Purpose of SchoolingPurpose of Schooling

Prepare students to be Prepare students to be productive, contributing productive, contributing members of society.members of society.

For essentialist, the aim of For essentialist, the aim of education is to teach the young education is to teach the young the essentials they need to live the essentials they need to live well in the modern world.well in the modern world.

Teacher’s RoleTeacher’s Role

Teacher is expert of content Teacher is expert of content knowledge. knowledge.

Teaches essential knowledge.Teaches essential knowledge. Maintains task-oriented focus.Maintains task-oriented focus.

Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies

Avoids methodological frills and Avoids methodological frills and soft pedagogy and concentrates soft pedagogy and concentrates on sound, proven instructional on sound, proven instructional methods.methods.

CurriculumCurriculum

Strong emphasis on basic skills Strong emphasis on basic skills in elementary schools and on in elementary schools and on disciplined knowledge and disciplined knowledge and scholastic achievement in scholastic achievement in secondary schoolssecondary schools

Student’s RoleStudent’s Role

Is there to listen and learn.Is there to listen and learn.

MetaphysicsMetaphysics

What is relevant is what helps What is relevant is what helps an individual live well and what an individual live well and what benefits humanity.benefits humanity.

EpistemologyEpistemology

Truth exists in the classics and Truth exists in the classics and modern science.modern science.

Students must learn process Students must learn process and content.and content.

Knowledge is gained through Knowledge is gained through the interaction of experiences the interaction of experiences and rational thought.and rational thought.

AxiologyAxiology

Determined by the natural order Determined by the natural order of things.of things.

Values exist in the best of Values exist in the best of culture.culture.

LogicLogic

Rationality is best developed Rationality is best developed through interplay of deductive through interplay of deductive and inductive thinking.and inductive thinking.