NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF SCINCE, MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

EDUCATION

MASTER OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

COURSE OUTLINE

1.0 COURSE CODE AND TITLE: PST6101 PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN STEM

EDUCATION

1.1 LECTURER: DR. L. SIBANDA OFFICE: SD36 COMMERCE BUILDING

CONTACT: MOBILE—0772921742/0713054044/0733751538
E-mail address: sibandalwazi@gmail.com / lwazi.sibanda@nust.ac.zw

2.0 SYNOPSIS

Philosophy and philosophy of education, philosophy of science, philosophy of

STEM education, the nature of scientific/mathematical knowledge; science sub-
culture; knowledge bases and knowledge management; indigenous knowledge
and science; paradigms and ideologies; positivist, post-positivist, modernist,
postmodernist

3.0 AIM

 The aim of this course is to expose students to the philosophical issues and
their relevance in the education system so that the students achieve
competence through critical thinking and reflective practice.

4.0 OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

 define philosophy and philosophy of education;

 explain the conceptual framework, nature and functions of philosophy of

education;

 critically appraise the contributions made to the education by prominent

educational thinkers;

 develop philosophical insight for resolution of educational issues;

 assess the relationship between philosophy and science;

  explain the relationship between indigenous knowledge and science;

 assess the impact of STEM education in the Zimbabwean education system

5.0 DURATION

 56 HOURS

6.0 COURSE CONTENT

 Definition of philosophy
 Branches of philosophy
 Education (meaning, focus of education in 21 st century, relationship between
philosophy and education)
 The concept of philosophy of education
 Scope of philosophy of education
 Nature of philosophy of education
 Functions of philosophy of education
 Philosophical ideologies and their impact on the education system (Idealism,
Realism, Pragmatism, Progressivism, Reconstructivism, Existentialism,
Perennialism, Essentialism, modernism and post-modernism)
 Philosophy of science
 Philosophy of STEM education
 Knowledge bases and knowledge management
 Indigenous knowledge and science

7.0 ASSESSMENT

 Assessment comprises continuous assessment and examination, that is, two

assignments and 3 hour end of semester examination. Continuous
assessment to examination ratio will be 40:60%.

 Candidates must pass at least 66% of all courses in one stage before
proceeding to the next stage. The pass mark in each course shall be 50%.

 Course classification: 80% and above—Distinction

70%--79% -Merit

60%--69% -Credit

50%--59% -Pass

Below 50% -Fail