Perennialism

Emma Bagby

Learning Targets

Define Perennialism as an educational philosophy
Understand the role of classic works in education
Connect Perennialism to modern education

What is Perennialism?

Perennialism is a traditional educational philosophy that emphasizes the importance of classic works of literature, art, history, and philosophy. The use of Perennialism, especially in language and social studies courses, is important to forming students' worldviews. Studying the classics dating all the way back to Ancient civilizations immerses students in a world that is essential for understanding the human experience, forming critical thinking skills, and having a perception of both the world around them currently and the world before them.

Perennialism

Dates back to Ancient Rome and Greece.
Past and classical knowledge.
Develop critical thinking skills through reasoning and fixed curriculum.
Teacher-centered classroom model.

VS.

Progressivism

Dates back to the late 19th century.
No universal or unchanging knowledge.
Develop critical thinking skills through inquiry and unfixed curriculum.
Student-centered classroom model.

Modern Significance

By combining elements of Perennialism and Progressivism, teachers can create a more adaptable approach to education that incorporates both classic wisdom and student-centered learning during lessons. It can also encourage students to reflect on the relevance and significance of Perennialist ideas in the context of modern society. This reflection can help students understand classical knowledge while also helping them to recognize the similarities and differences in today's world. A way to implement this is to provide examples of readings or art from both past and current then open the floor for a class discussion and allow the students to take the lead with guidance from the teacher when needed.

Quiz

Which is true of Perennialism?

A. Perennialism typically uses a teacher-centered model and fixed curriculum.

B. Perennialism emphasizes the "classics."

C. The ideas of Perennialism are everchanging.

D. Both A and B.

A perennialist teacher is planning a unit on philosophy. What would be the central focus of this unit?

A) Current trends in pop culture philosophy.

B) Contemporary debates on ethical issues.

C) The study of influential philosophical works by Plato, Aristotle, and Kant.

D) Student-led discussions on personal philosophies.

Answers: D, C

References

De Guzman, E. (2023). Perennial-progressivism—P2: An avant-garde cross breed philosophy of education for the 21st century. Fìlosofìâ Osvìti (Online), 28(2), 214-229.

Youssef, L. (2010). A Matter of Relevance: Teaching Classics in the 21st Century. College Teaching, 58(1), 28–31. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25763410

Page updated

Report abuse