Essentialism Philosophy

QUESTION:
Using your unit resources, and any additional resources you feel are appropriate, provide
an in-depth analysis of your chosen educational theory. In your composition include the
major details of the philosophy, why this philosophy speaks to you, and how your belief in
this philosophy impacts your classroom practice.
EDUC 5010: EDUCATION IN CONTEXT: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, SOCIOLOGY
INSTRUCTOR: OWUSU BOAKYE
APRIL 25, 2021

ESSENTIALISM PHILOSOPHY
Essentialists believe that students should learn traditional basic subjects exhaustively to help
them learn the basic skills. Essentialist’s curriculum is designed in a way that teaches learners
from simple concepts to complex. Essentialism comes from the word “essential” which the
oxford dictionary defines as “absolutely necessary; extremely important”, Essentialists suggest
that it’s absolutely necessary to train the children’s mind.
The essentialist movement was founded by William Bagley (1874-1946). He wanted the existing
theories to be complemented or even replaced but not destroying them completely. Since the
theory is rigid to the tradition, the movement faced a lot of resistance in the early twentieth
century asserting that that approach can’t prepare students for the future. Bagley thought that the
existing theories were weak and inadequate that’s why he came up with the essentialism
movement. (Şahin, M. 2018)
A well-educated, caring, and cultured adult is supposed to guide the immature student, this is
why essentialism is categorized as a teacher-centered method of teaching.
The main aims of education are:
1. To prepare students to be productive, contributing members of society.
2. To teach the young, the essentials they need to live well in the modern world (Şahin, M.
2018).
Essentialists urge that students must be taught essential subjects like math, literature, history,
science, technology, and foreign language. Elementary students receive instruction in skills like
writing, reading, measuring, and computers. Subjects most frequently related to the event of
creative thinking like Art and Music to be provided. The scholars' square measure needed to
master a body of knowledge and basic techniques, bit by bit moving from less to additional
complicated skills and careful data. solely by mastering the specified material for his or her grade
level, the scholars square measure promoted to successive higher grade (Şahin, M. 2018).
In essentialism, students learn passively by sitting down on desks and taking notes as given by
the teacher. After completing a unit, they take a more complex unit.
Since students are taught about events, people, ideas, and institutions, essentialists believe that
students will be in a position to apply these learned ideas in the real world.
In an essentialist class, the teacher should pay high attention to disciple because this will enable
students to concentrate and hence understand what is being taught, it also reduces the disruptions
in class. In case the student is supposed to be punished, this should be done in a way that does
not demean their dignity.
Currently, many schools use essentialism philosophy where a school day is comprised of several
periods and students are taught different subjects on a diary basis. There is a defined curriculum
for each subject and the content is taught in an orderly manner from simple to complex. Students
are formally assessed in a termly manner and at the end of every academic year, they are given
promotional exams which determine whether the student has mastered the content taught hence
being promoted to the next class or not.
As a math teacher, I believe learners are supposed to be taught certain facts about the subject and
then apply these facts to the day-to-day life experience. The theory calls for highly disciplined
individuals and discipline is also key to study mathematics; this philosophy helps math teachers
to give students instructions and follow them.
In mathematics, concepts are taught in a sequential form and from known to unknown which is
also emphasized by philosophy.
To teach mathematics, the teacher should be rigid to avoid alteration of mathematical principles
by students which are well emphasized by the essentialists.
Believing in this philosophy helps me discipline my students, I give my students negative points
when they misbehave and positive points when they behave well, this way, my lessons students
are attentive, active, and not disruptive which helps them understand the concepts taught.
In the school I am currently teaching, the exam body (in this case it’s Cambridge international
examination body) sets the curriculum, and the syllabus and the teacher implement what is in the
curriculum. The teacher is supposed to follow the syllabus the way it is set by Cambridge. The
teacher is supposed to use any method which suits them.
Since the teacher is the sole authority, he or she must be academically well-qualified, appreciate
and promote learning and character development. The teacher must also control the students and
determine how to distribute appropriate rewards and penalties (Howick, 1971, p. 51).
In conclusion, the following are the main principles of essentialism philosophy:
❖ Respect to authority, discipline, and hard work are key components to make a good
citizen.
❖ Interdisciplinary studies are not emphasized since the essential subjects are developed
and organized by experts.
❖ Teachers should be highly strict to enforce discipline and hard work.
❖ The teacher is at the center of teaching and learning, the philosophy emphasizes teacher-
centeredness.
❖ The curriculum is made of core subjects and textbooks are used. The curriculum is
subject-centered.
❖ Well educated teachers are to teach the essential subjects
❖ Learners sit passively and listen to the teacher, so lecture and test methods are highly
applied.
Reference:
Howick, W. H (1971). Philosophies of Western Education.
Şahin, M. (2018). Essentialism in philosophy, psychology, education, social and scientific
scopes. Journal of Innovation in Psychology, Education and Didactics, 22(2). 193-204.

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INSTRUCTOR: OWUSU BOAKYE

APRIL 25, 2021

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