Historical Foundations of Education: HUMANISM

Topic Outline Humanism during the Renaissance and Reformation Period

La Pieta by Michelangelo Renaissance Period La Pieta by Michelangelo Mona lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci

Renaissance Period Copernicus discovers the earth revolved around the sun Columbus discovered the Americas

Reformation Period Martin Luther started the Reformation period Gutenbuerg Perfected the Printing Press

HUMANISM  Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.

HUMANISM Derived from the Latin word humanitas which means “culture”. This movement started in the early part of the 14th even up to the 16th century. This period was marked by a revival of the classical influences of the Romans and Greeks, expressed in the flowering of the arts and literature as well as the beginning of modern science.

The Renaissance Period RENAISSANCE came from the French word “renaitre” . It was a general re-awakening, a revival or rebirth of learning. The renaissance upheld the dignity of the human being, renewed the spirit of nationalism. It is also the time for increased trade among countries, and a period of exploration. This lead to scientific research which was used to solve problems. Books were printed and thus were made more widely available.

Different movements that arise during the Renaissance Period Humanism The Reformation Protestant Reformation Catholic-Counter Reformation Realism Disciplinism Rationalism Naturalism Nationalism Developmentalism

Humanistic Education was the outgrowth of the renaissance Humanistic Education was the outgrowth of the renaissance. It identified two phases: Italian Humanism or individual humanism Humanism North of the Alps (NotA) or the Social humanism

Italian or individual humanism This stressed personal culture, individual freedom and the development of the elite group.

Aims of Italian Humanism Academic Freedom Abundant Living Liberal Education

Types of Education Literary and Aesthetic Education Physical Education Moral and Religious Training Intellectual Training

Agencies of Humanistic Education Lower or elementary schools Secondary or Court schools Universities Organization of Grade Levels Girls were taught by tutors at home The boys had to go through school step by step: elementary, high school and university.

Methods of Instruction Lecture Writing Themes Development of Self-expression Development of interest and power of thinking Balanced mental and physical activity.

Methods of Instruction (cont.) Curriculum was varied and there was alteration of subjects. Discipline was mild and motivation was emphasized. Punishment – not used as motivation for learning

Financing Rich children paid Bright but poor children received aid. The court (secondary) schools were founded and supported by the princes and dukes of the Italian city-states.

Italian Humanism contributed the following to education: Secondary schools served as models in other countries. Academic freedom was founded: freedom of thought, self-expression, and creative activity. Revival of Roman and Greek classics. Use of texts and less of lectures and written themes instead of oral recitation.

Humanism North of the Alps This Social Humanism started by the work of the Hieronymians or Brothers of the Common Life, a nonmonastic order founded in Holland 1376. Characteristics of the Northern Humanism The piety of the brethren – Kempis Their broad literary spirit - Erasmus

Popular Humanist during this time: Erasmus 1466-1536 a Dutch scholar Known for his educational works “Liberal Education of children” & “On the Order of Study”

Popular Humanist during this time: Thomas à Kempis 1380-1471 a German writer Known for his works in volumes and one volume is entitled “The Imitation of Christ”

Aims of Northern Humanism Social – to reform society from greed, selfishness and exploitation by Church and political leaders. Religious and moral – morality ahead of manners. Literacy – to wipe out the ignorance of the people. Literary Democratic – to make education accessible to all classes of society.

Types of Education Social education Religious and moral education Literacy education Literary education Democratic education

Lower or elementary schools Secondary schools Agencies of Education Lower or elementary schools Secondary schools Famous secondary schools St. Paul School in London by John Colet Gymnasium in Germany by Johann Sturm Universities Famous Universities Cambridge – Erasmus was the first teacher Oxford University of Wittenburg – by Melanchthon