Perennialsim By: Virginia Evans I’m sorry. This is not going to be amazing. It’s late and I am exhausted. I do sincerely apologize.

Definition “Perennialism can be defined as an educational theory that proclaims that people possess and share a common nature that defines them as human beings” (Gutek, 2004, p. 279).

Where did it come from? Perennialism comes from Aristotle, the Realist, and Aquinas, the Thomist (Theistic Realism).

Important People pro-Perennialism Robert Maynard Hutchins Mortimer Adler Allan Bloom William Bennet

Basically Perennialism likes the classic works. This includes Plato’s Republic, Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics, Rousseau’s Social Contract, and Tolstoy’s War and Peace . More traditional way of teaching. This makes it more difficult to find a school who’s main philosophy is based off of Perennialism. The majority of the schools I found were based off of Progressivism. Progressivism is basically the opposite of Perennialism.

About “Perennialist educators seek to bring the young of each generation into contact and understanding with [the] classics” (Gutek, 2004, p. 280). Perennialism relies heavily on structure, order, and sequence in curriculum and instruction. You must master the basics before moving on. Perennialists believe that “all people—regardless of time or place, race or ethnicity, gender or class— possess the same intellectual power to grasp the truth and use it to guide their behavior” (Gutek, 2004, p. 283).

Curriculum The Perennial curriculum is what ever is universal. This includes: language history mathematics civics, political science, and economics natural and physical sciences fine arts (human spirituality and religion) optional because only for Religious Perennialism ( ) = optional

The Park Founded in 1912 independent school non-sectarian coeducational 850 students from age four through grade twelve

Philosophies of the Park curriculum is structured around thematic studies that weave together history, social studies, geography, literature, science, math, and the arts. The school’s core values, rooted in the progressive educational philosophy of John Dewey, sustain an unshakable belief in children’s capacity to enjoy learning, to act rationally, and to grow when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers (http://www.parkschool.net/about/park-at-a- glance/).

Christian Philosophy of Education Though the Park claims to be non-sectarian, it hold many values that are found in the Bible. Galatians 5:22-23 : 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. These are some of the morals / values they are teaching their students

Continued Romans 13:6-7 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Perennialism also teaches respect and that the teacher is the authority

Continued (last one) Luke 6:31 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. This is the “golden rule” at almost every school

Moral of the Story Schools may say that they are not affiliated with religion, but subtly they are. The basic rules for the schools / classrooms can be found in the Bible. When they talk about teaching students to be good citizens, they are also teaching them things found in the Bible Keep it up!

How I feel I like Perennialism in that it sticks to the basics and is very tradition However, as a teacher I would only include it in my philosophy. I would have my classroom be more like the Park in which Progressivism is the main philosophy and Perennialsim is secondary.

References Gutek, Gerald L. (2004). Philosophical and ideological voices in education. Boston: Pearson. Hoffman, T. (2006). We are what we teach. Education Today, (2), 22-23. The park school. (2013). < http://www.parkschool.net/>. June 13, 2013. Wikipedia.(2013). Educational perennialism. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_perenniali sm>. June 13, 2013.