Educating for Humanity: Rethinking the Purposes of Education

by Seymour,Mike

• ISBN13: 9781594510649
• ISBN10: 1594510644
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-17
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The promise and necessity of working toward 'a world for all' is a viable aspiration for education at a time when the worldwide crises in social justice, peace, democracy, and ecological integrity have become the defining issues of our times. Ample evidence from many schools today, and dating back throughout the last century, proves that the purpose of educating young people of character, compassion, purpose, and commitment is integral with the mastery of intellectual skills and life competencies. Self and school subjects develop interdependently. But, as the saying goes, 'if you don't know where you're going, you'll probably get someplace else'. Educational policy directions over the last twenty years have veered far away from the important work of educating for humanity. This book makes a powerful appeal to revisit educational purpose in light of what is most fundamental and important to human beings everywhere. The authors address timely issues such as high stakes testing, school choice, and privatization of education in looking beyond these measures to new approaches to educational excellence.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Henry M. Levin
Introduction Educating for Humanity: Rethinking the Purposes of Education	1	(10)
Mike Seymour
Part I The Great Work of Reconnecting to Self, Community, Earth and Spirit	11	(22)
Mike Seymour
Networks and the Web of Life: The Science Behind an Integral, Sustainable Culture	17	(6)
Fritjof Capra
Mike Seymour
An Evolutionary Threshold: Calling on Humanity's ``Double Wisdom''	23	(10)
Duane Elgin
Carter Phipps
Part II Educating for Self: Being Called into Life	33	(48)
Mike Seymour
Authentic Living and Teaching: Rejoining Soul and Role	41	(7)
Parker J. Palmer
Mike Seymour
Mentoring the Genius of Our Youth: Watering the Seeds of the Future	48	(12)
Michael Meade
Lauren de Boer
Teachers: The Heart of Education	60	(6)
Sam M. Intrator
Downside Up: Getting Education Right	66	(7)
Ronald G. Veronda
How Schools Can Empower Our Children	73	(8)
Deborah Meier
Mike Seymour
Part III Educating for Authentic Community: Holding Space for the Heart	81	(52)
Mike Seymour
Caring as a Foundation for Learning	89	(8)
Nel Noddings
Mike Seymour
Creating a School Community	97	(6)
Eric Schaps
Community in School	103	(5)
Thomas Sergiovanni
Mike Seymour
The Bridges to Civility: Empathy, Ethics, Civics, and Service	108	(14)
Sheldon Berman
Multicultural Education: Access, Equity, and Social Justice	122	(6)
Sonia Nieto
Mike Seymour
Educating Global Citizens in a Diverse World	128	(5)
James A. Banks
Part IV Educating for Earth: Future Generations and All of Life	133	(52)
Mike Seymour
Ethics and Ecology	145	(10)
Thomas Berry
Deciding for Life and Our Children's Future	155	(6)
David Orr
Mike Seymour
Ecological Education: Extending the Definition of Environmental Education	161	(14)
Gregory A. Smith
Dilafruz R. Williams
Returning Home with Empty Hands	175	(10)
David Jardine
Part V Educating for Spirit: The Quest for Heart, Character, and Meaning	185	(52)
Mike Seymour
A Vision of Schools with Spirit	191	(16)
Linda Lantieri
Making Meaningful Connections in School	207	(10)
Nancy Carlsson-Paige
Making Space for the Mystery: Reawakening Life and Spirit in Teaching and Learning	217	(7)
Parker J. Palmer
Mike Seymour
Way of the Brave: An Indigenous Perspective on ``Character Education''	224	(6)
Don Trent Jacobs
Nourishing Soul in Secular Schools	230	(7)
Rachael Kessler
Appendix: Resources	237	(16)
Index	253	(6)
About the Editor	259