Curriculum

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.

Wesley Null is vice provost for undergraduate education at Baylor University. He also serves as professor of curriculum and foundations of education in the School of Education and the Honors College. At Baylor, Null collaborates with all deans and vice provosts to maintain a common vision for undergraduate education, oversees undergraduate curriculum for the university, supervises staff who provide academic and advising support for all undergraduates, works closely to the Office of Student Life to supervise living-learning programs, and oversees institutional accreditation for the University. Null is the author of Peerless Educator: The Life and Work of Isaac Leon Kandel (2007) and A Disciplined Progressive Educator: The Life and Career of William Chandler Bagley (2004). He is co-editor, with Diane Ravitch, of Forgotten Heroes of American Education: The Great Tradition of Teaching Teachers (2006). He has co-edited several other books as well, including Readings in American Educational Thought: From Puritanism to Progressivism (2009) and The Pursuit of Curriculum: Schooling and the Public Interest (2006). Null also has served as president of the American Association for Teaching and Curriculum and Editor of the American Educational History Journal. He lives in Woodway, Texas with his wife, Dana, and their two children, Raegan and Corbin.

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