This updated third edition of Curriculum: From Theory to Practice provides an introduction to curriculum theory and how it relates to classroom practice. Wesley Null builds upon recent developments while continuing to provide a unique organization of the curriculum field composed of five traditions: systematic, existential, radical, pragmatic, and deliberative.

The third edition of Curriculum: From Theory to Practice provides an introduction to curriculum theory and how it relates to classroom practice. Wesley Null builds upon recent developments while continuing to provide a unique organization of the curriculum field into five traditions: systematic, existential, radical, pragmatic, and deliberative. Null discusses the philosophical foundations of curriculum as well as historical and contemporary figures who have shaped each curriculum tradition. To ensure breadth and scope, Null has expanded this edition to include new figures, address rapid changes in democratic society, and chart a path to inclusion and wise decision-making.

Figures and Textboxes

Foreword to the Third Edition (Chara Haeussler Bohan)

Foreword to the Second Edition (Jared Stallones)

Foreword to the First Edition (David M. Callejo-Perez)

Preface to the Third Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Supplementary Materials

Acknowledgments

Introduction: What Is Curriculum and Why Does It Matter?

Curriculum versus Education

Curriculum Questions

Why Curriculum Matters

What Is a Liberating Curriculum?

Thesis and Structure of the Book

Brief Book Overview

Discussion Questions

Notes

PART I: CURRICULUM TRADITIONS

1 Liberal Education (and Curriculum) for All

Origins of a Liberal Curriculum

The Christian Era and the Liberal Arts Ideal

The Rise of Democracy

Universal Liberal Curriculum and Deliberation

John Dewey and Democratic Education

Joseph Schwab’s Challenge to Curriculum

The Five Commonplaces of Curriculum

Why the Language of Commonplaces?

Commonplace #1: Teachers

Commonplace #2: Learners

Commonplace #3: Subject Matter

Commonplace #4: Context

Commonplace #5: Curriculum Making

A Map for Curriculum Makers

The Horizontal Axis

The Vertical Axis

The Curriculum Map and the Five Curricular Traditions

Discussion Questions

Notes

2 Systematic Curriculum

No Child Left Behind and Systematic Curriculum

Curriculum Standards as a System

The Rise of Common Core State Standards

Background on the Systematic Curriculum Tradition

John Franklin Bobbitt

Werrett Wallace Charters

The Free-Market System and Curriculum

What about Curriculum?

Systematic Curriculum and the Commonplaces

Teachers

Learners

Subject Matter

Context

Curriculum Making

Conclusion: Strengths and Weaknesses of Systematic Curriculum

Discussion Questions

Notes

3 Existentialist Curriculum

Alfie Kohn and Curriculum for Personal Choice

Maxine Greene and Existential Curriculum

Elliot Eisner and Artistic Existentialism

William F. Pinar and Curriculum Reconceptualization

Some Background on Existentialist Curriculum

G. Stanley Hall and Developmental Curriculum

William Heard Kilpatrick and Project-Based Curriculum

Existentialist Curriculum and the Commonplaces

Teachers

Learners

Subject Matter

Context

Curriculum Making

Conclusion: Strengths and Weaknesses of Existentialist Curriculum

Discussion Questions

Notes

4 Radical Curriculum

Michael Apple and Radical Curriculum

Official Knowledge

Ideology and Curriculum

Paulo Freire and Radical Curriculum

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Radical Christian Curriculum

Gloria Ladson-Billings, The Dreamkeepers, and Radical Curriculum

Some Background on Radical Curriculum

George Counts

Dare the School Build a New Social Order? and Curriculum

Harold Rugg and Radical Social Studies Curriculum

Radical Curriculum and the Commonplaces

Teachers

Learners

Subject Matter

Context

Curriculum Making

Conclusion: Strengths and Weaknesses of Radical Curriculum

Discussion Questions

Notes

5 Pragmatic Curriculum

Ted Sizer and Pragmatic Curriculum

Horace Smith’s Compromised Curriculum

Sizer’s Pragmatic System

Harry K. Wong and Pragmatic Curriculum

Background on Pragmatic Curriculum

John Dewey and the Philosophical Roots of Pragmatic Curriculum

Dewey in the 1890s

Dewey in 1916

Dewey during the Great Depression

Ralph Tyler and Pragmatic Curriculum

Tyler and the Roots of Curriculum Deliberation

Pragmatic Curriculum and the Commonplaces

Teachers

Learners

Subject Matter

Context

Curriculum Making

Conclusion: Strengths and Weaknesses of Pragmatic Curriculum

Discussion Questions

Notes

6 Deliberative Curriculum

William A. Reid and Deliberative Curriculum

Thinking about the Curriculum

Reid on Curriculum and Liberal Education

Ian Westbury and Deliberative Curriculum

Westbury on Liberal Education

Westbury on Bildung, Didaktik, and Curriculum

Cheryl J. Craig and Deliberative Curriculum through Teachers

Some Background on Deliberative Curriculum

Joseph Schwab’s Challenge to Curriculum

Schwab and Deliberation

Richard McKeon: Rhetoric and Humanity in the Curriculum

McKeon on Rhetoric and Curriculum

McKeon on the Theory–Practice Relationship and Deliberation

Deliberative Curriculum and the Commonplaces

Teachers

Learners

Subject Matter

Context

Curriculum Making

Conclusion: Strengths and Weaknesses of Deliberative Curriculum

Discussion Questions

Notes

PART II: CURRICULUM PRACTICE

7 What Should We Do with State Curriculum Standards?

The Idea of Curriculum Standards

Jesse Parker: High School U.S. History Teacher

Resolving Mr. Parker’s Problems

Kathy Waterman: Social Studies Department Chair

Resolving Ms. Waterman’s Problems

Michelle Ochoa: Fifth-Grade Teacher

Resolving Ms. Ochoa’s Problems

Discussion Questions

8 How Can We Reestablish a Core Curriculum at Our University?

Northern State University

Dr. Martin Fitzgerald

Resolving Provost Fitzgerald’s Problems

Lack of Faculty Support

Lack of Balance between Teaching and Research

Limited Resources

Smithville College

Resolving President Rankin’s Problems

The Diversity Concern

The Relevant Curriculum Argument

The “Why More Religion?” Critique

Discussion Questions

9 What Should We Do to Create a Better Teacher Ed Curriculum?

Western State University

Dean John Mason

WSU: The Context

President Jenice Longfellow

Dr. Ronnie Lopez

Provost Barry Barnett

Dean Michael Leadbetter

Resolving Dean Mason’s Problems

Freedom Hill College

President Martin Westland

Dean Eugene Barker

Dr. Theresa Moore, Assistant Professor

Resolving President Westland’s Problems

Resolving Dr. Theresa Moore’s Problems

Discussion Questions

Notes

10 Curriculum with Virtue: A Future for Deliberative Curriculum

The Ancient Roots of Curriculum Deliberation

What Is Virtue and How Does It Relate to Curriculum?

Faith and Curriculum

John Amos Comenius and a Liberal Curriculum for All

Discussion Questions

Notes

Appendix A: Curriculum Dilemmas

Intelligent Design vs. Evolution: Teach It or Ignore It?

Curriculum Dilemma #1

Should I Talk to the Principal or Not?

Curriculum Dilemma #2

Must I Teach Phonics?

Curriculum Dilemma #3

Should I Confront the Principal or Ignore What I Saw?

Curriculum Dilemma #4

Should I Give the Star Running Back a Break or Uphold Standards?

Curriculum Dilemma #5

Should American Sign Language Count as a Foreign Language?

Curriculum Dilemma #6

Should Your Department Accept Dual-Credit Courses for Transfer Credit?

Curriculum Dilemma #7

References

Subject Index

Name Index

About the Author