Bases of Curriculum Theorizing

• Scientific Theory

  • logically connected statements that generalize to and offer explanations of particular cases

• Philosophical and Humanistic Theory

  • assumptions or beliefs that explain what ought to be

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Scientific theory is composed of general facts, laws, or hypotheses related to each other

Feigl: theory is a set of assumptions from which can be derived by purely logicomathematical procedures, a larger set of empirical laws

Kerlinger: theories are general explanations that enable scientists to understand the phenomenon studied

Philosophical and Humanistic Theory:

Kliebard: concern for systematic analysis of a set of related concepts or problems

• Normative

• indicates what should or should not be included or done in some action

• emphasizes melding the emotional and physical with the intellectual

• addresses the meshing of ideas and actions together

Much of the theory that relates to education is philosophical or humanistic