A Study Of The Critical Curriculum Theory

During the centuries between the later 19l and the early 20 , science and technology developed rapidly for the second technological revolution. But in the meantime, the idea of "efficacy" and "scientism" submerged the whole society instantly, which also affected the direction of philosophy, psychology and pedagogy. The curriculum theory of this period was simplified to the study of "technological model". Soon after, the disadvantages brought by science and technology made people gradually realize that we human's dignity and value should be paid more attention to. Simultaneously, with the rise of humanistic psychology and humanistic pedagogy, many humanistic curriculum theories also came out. The thought of "Reconceptualism" was the most important one. It includes two directions: the phenomenological curriculum theory and the critical curriculum theory. This dissertation is focused on the latter. The purpose of this dissertation is to explain its background, theoretical base, development and its viewpoint on basic problems of curriculum. Then, after giving an objective evaluation to this theory, the author talks about its enlightenment to the curriculum reform of our country's elementary education.The dissertation consists of five parts:Part one, "Introduction" , points out the reason, scope, methods and the value of this research.Part two is about the form and development of this theory. After giving a comprehensive exposition of its background and theoretical base, the author divides the theory into two periods.Part three summarizes this theory's viewpoint on the basic problems of curriculum. It contains curriculum essence, curriculum objective, curriculum content and teaching process.Part four evaluates the advantages and problems of this theory objectively.Part five probes its enlightenment to the curriculum reform of our country's elementary education.