Theodore Brameld’s Thought Infused in Higher Education Global Studies Curriculum

Stephen R White

doi:10.5539/jel.v5n3p278

Abstract

The assertion here is that Theodore Brameld’s Social Reconstructionist thought can provide us in American higher education the philosophical foundation for a relevant 21st century curriculum global studies agenda. It is a curriculum that merges self-awareness with global societal evolution. Through the interjection of Brameldian social reconstructionism into the forum of global studies into that of the Arts and Letters for American higher education, learners gain an infusion of emerging collective consciousness that weaves together new ways of knowing through the formation of the curriculum that informs rational thought and empirical action of global social behavior the ultimately cultivates a new normal for humankind. “The consciousness of each of us is evolution looking at itself and reflection upon itself…the whole future of the Earth seems to me to depend on the awakening of our faith in the future” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955). “We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive” (Albert Einstein, 1875-1955).

Highlights

This study is a theoretical narrative regarding two major areas American society in an increasingly globalized world and higher education who is seeking to educate for the future of peaceful cooperation
What is the new and novel scholarly contribution here is that it makes to the field of American higher education philosophy as an interdisciplinary synthesis: (1) The evolution of our increasingly globalized life-world, (2) the development of the curriculum in higher education to inform learners for the 21st Century through global studies, and to suggest a restoration of Social Reconstructionism through an examination of philosopher Theodore Brameld’s thought within the context of global education
Social Reconstructionist hold that modern society is facing a grave crisis of international political conflicts, economic instability, changes in social stability, environmental and ecological destruction that threaten the very survival of humankind

Summary

Introduction

This study is a theoretical narrative regarding two major areas American society in an increasingly globalized world and higher education who is seeking to educate for the future of peaceful cooperation. What is the new and novel scholarly contribution here is that it makes to the field of American higher education philosophy as an interdisciplinary synthesis: (1) The evolution of our increasingly globalized life-world, (2) the development of the curriculum in higher education to inform learners for the 21st Century through global studies, and to suggest a restoration of Social Reconstructionism through an examination of philosopher Theodore Brameld’s thought within the context of global education. We have solid reasons to revisit his thought within the context of curriculum development in American higher education

Our Age of Globalization and Global Studies

Social Reconstructionism Revisited

Theodore Brameld’s Global Thought

Summary