Theoretical foundations of education (OPEN UNI)

Prerequisites and co-requisites: Basic studies

Recommended optional programme components: Course is part of Intermediate studies in Education.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• identify the philosophical and philosophical foundations of educational research, their justification and the assumptions underlying scientific knowledge production
• analyse and compare the perspectives of the scientific concepts that are influential within educational science and the strengths and challenges of the philosophical arguments used to defend them
• assess the relevance of philosophical assumptions and commitments to scientific research and be able to use this
• understanding in their own theses and by participating in scientific argumentation and debate understand the potential of educational research in multidisciplinary collaboration.

Mode of delivery: Remote lectures. Lectures 12 h, exercises 16 h. The lectures and exercises constitute a uniform whole. The exercise groups study in depth the themes of the lectures through discussion, argumentation and reflection.

The essay assignment will be based on approximately 350 pages of course literature, including both Finnish and foreign language material, as appropriate. In agreement with the teacher, it is also possible to use other literature suitable for the topic of the course.

Aaltola, J. (1994). Eräitä tieteenteorian peruskysymyksiä ihmistutkimuksen näkökulmasta. Jyväskylän yliopisto.

Hilpelä, J. (1998). Kasvatustieteellinen ajattelu. Joensuun yliopisto.

Kiikeri, M. & Ylikoski, P. (2004). Tiede tutkimuskohteena: Filosofinen johdatus tieteentutkimukseen. Gaudeamus.

Raatikainen, P. (2004). Ihmistieteet ja filosofia. Gaudeamus.

Trigg, R. (1993). Rationality & science: Can science explain everything? Blackwell.

Trigg, R. (2000). Understanding social science: Philosophical introduction to the social sciences. Blackwell.

Wulf, C. (2003). Educational science. Waxmann. (saatavana myös pdf-versiona http://www.pedocs.de/volltexte/2010/1564/pdf/Ed...ce_final_D.pdf).

Course essay.

Read more about assessment criteria at the University of Oulu webpage.

• 0 = The performance does not indicate that the learning outcomes have been achieved. The content produced is fragmented and not relevant to the subject matter and content of the course.
• 1 = The learning outcomes of the course have been achieved to an acceptable level. The content of the course is very superficial and fragmented. The use of sources is weak.
• 2 = The learning outcomes of the course have been satisfactorily achieved. The content of the course has been dealt with in a somewhat superficial manner, leaving the connections between the issues somewhat unclear and the independent reflection somewhat inadequate. The use of sources is mostly poor to satisfactory.
• 3 = The learning objectives of the course have been well achieved. The content of the course is well mastered and is dealt with in a reflective and relational manner. The use of sources is mainly in line with the guidelines.
• 4 = The learning outcomes of the course have been achieved to an apparently commendable degree. The content of the course is handled in a somewhat analytical and systematically controlled manner, involving well-founded independent thinking and also demonstrating mastery of general academic skills. The use of sources is mainly very good.
• 5 = Both the course objectives and the more general academic competence objectives are excellently met. The content of the course is very well mastered and is dealt with in a structured and analytical manner, including reasoned, relevant and critical reflection. The use of sources is largely excellent.

Language of instruction: Finnish

Timing: Autumn

Target group: Open University students, classroom and subject teachers, health professionals

Person responsible: Henri Pettersson

Further information

This course can also be completed on a flexible schedule. In this case, the lectures are studied from recordings and the webinar is done on your own schedule. The seminar part should be completed before the start of the next course. The essay must be returned during the current academic year.