SAEM M4 CURRICULUM COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW SHEET QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
●● What does the term 'philosophy' mean in the context of curriculum
development?
Answer: Philosophy comes from the Greek words 'philo' (love) and
'sophia' (wisdom), and it is the disciplined pursuit of truth through
logical reasoning and critical reflection on reality, knowledge, and
values.
●● What role does philosophy play in curriculum development?
Answer: It provides the framework for planning, implementing, and
evaluating curricula by clarifying goals, identifying course of study,
prescribing teaching methods, and recommending instructional
materials.
●● What are the two problems faced by curriculum workers according
to Pawilen?
Answer: 1) Rigidity — being too dogmatic about one philosophy makes
collaboration difficult; 2) Lack of clarity — without a clear
philosophical foundation, decisions become inconsistent.
,●● What are the four major educational philosophies identified by
Pawilen?
Answer: They are Traditional (Perennialism and Essentialism) and
Modern (Progressivism and Reconstructionism).
●● What is the aim of education according to Perennialism?
Answer: To educate the rational person and cultivate the intellect
through reason.
●● What is the role of the teacher in a Perennialist curriculum?
Answer: The teacher acts as a model of virtue and intellectual
excellence, guiding students to think through great ideas.
●● What is the focus of the curriculum in Perennialism?
Answer: Classical subjects, literary analysis, and the Great Books,
emphasizing a constant, universal curriculum.
●● What does Essentialism emphasize in education?
Answer: It emphasizes back to basics of academic knowledge, focusing
on essential skills and core subjects.
●● What is the aim of education according to Essentialism?
Answer: To promote intellectual growth and educate a competent,
knowledgeable person.
, ●● What is the role of the teacher in an Essentialist curriculum?
Answer: The teacher is the sole authority in the subject area and serves
as an intellectual and moral role model for students.
●● What subjects are emphasized in Essentialism?
Answer: Essential skills — the 3 R's (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic) —
and core subjects: Science, History, Math, English, Foreign Language.
●● What is the significance of cultural literacy in Essentialism?
Answer: Students learn the people, events, and ideas that shaped
civilization, which is considered essential for systematic learning.
●● How does Essentialism view student interest in learning?
Answer: Student interest is considered secondary to academic rigor; the
teacher decides what is worth learning.
●● What is the focus of Modern Educational Philosophies?
Answer: They prioritize the learner's experience and the role of
education in improving society.
●● What is the importance of philosophical foundations in curriculum
design?
REVIEW SHEET QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
●● What does the term 'philosophy' mean in the context of curriculum
development?
Answer: Philosophy comes from the Greek words 'philo' (love) and
'sophia' (wisdom), and it is the disciplined pursuit of truth through
logical reasoning and critical reflection on reality, knowledge, and
values.
●● What role does philosophy play in curriculum development?
Answer: It provides the framework for planning, implementing, and
evaluating curricula by clarifying goals, identifying course of study,
prescribing teaching methods, and recommending instructional
materials.
●● What are the two problems faced by curriculum workers according
to Pawilen?
Answer: 1) Rigidity — being too dogmatic about one philosophy makes
collaboration difficult; 2) Lack of clarity — without a clear
philosophical foundation, decisions become inconsistent.
,●● What are the four major educational philosophies identified by
Pawilen?
Answer: They are Traditional (Perennialism and Essentialism) and
Modern (Progressivism and Reconstructionism).
●● What is the aim of education according to Perennialism?
Answer: To educate the rational person and cultivate the intellect
through reason.
●● What is the role of the teacher in a Perennialist curriculum?
Answer: The teacher acts as a model of virtue and intellectual
excellence, guiding students to think through great ideas.
●● What is the focus of the curriculum in Perennialism?
Answer: Classical subjects, literary analysis, and the Great Books,
emphasizing a constant, universal curriculum.
●● What does Essentialism emphasize in education?
Answer: It emphasizes back to basics of academic knowledge, focusing
on essential skills and core subjects.
●● What is the aim of education according to Essentialism?
Answer: To promote intellectual growth and educate a competent,
knowledgeable person.
, ●● What is the role of the teacher in an Essentialist curriculum?
Answer: The teacher is the sole authority in the subject area and serves
as an intellectual and moral role model for students.
●● What subjects are emphasized in Essentialism?
Answer: Essential skills — the 3 R's (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic) —
and core subjects: Science, History, Math, English, Foreign Language.
●● What is the significance of cultural literacy in Essentialism?
Answer: Students learn the people, events, and ideas that shaped
civilization, which is considered essential for systematic learning.
●● How does Essentialism view student interest in learning?
Answer: Student interest is considered secondary to academic rigor; the
teacher decides what is worth learning.
●● What is the focus of Modern Educational Philosophies?
Answer: They prioritize the learner's experience and the role of
education in improving society.
●● What is the importance of philosophical foundations in curriculum
design?
