EDUC 1080- Introduction to Philosophy---Dangerous MindsChan Ka Wing SummerChau Pik Yee SophieChow Ka Tung KarillisLi Wai Yi RuthYuen Emily Shin-kay1Description of the Dangerous MindsMain Characters

Louanne Johnson

The teacher of the class

- An ex-marine

Raul Sanchero

-One of the students

-Always involves in fighting and crimes

- A disturbing student

- The leader of the classEmilio RamirezCallie Roberts The pregnant student

Very smart in literature

Hal Griffith

-Johnsons friend

-A teacher in the same schoolPlot Summary

Louanne Johnson, an ex-marine, is hired as a teacher in a high-school in a poor area of the city. She has recently separated from her husband. Her friend, also teacher in the school, got the temporary job for her. After a terrible reception from the students, she tries unconventional methods of teaching (using karate, Bob Dylan lyrics. etc) to gain the trust of the students. Louanne also visit her students families in order to understand their background and thoughts. She gives incentives to the students so they finally get an A in their examination. After the death of Emilio ( he was killed by a gang with whom he fought), she decides to quit her job, but the students are so in love with her and regard her a light of their lives. Being touched by the students, Louanne decided not to leave her students and continue to guide their way on studying.

Does the curriculum serve the interests of the dominant people in society (the ruling class)?

What are the dominant people interested in? - political, literature, business, language, mathematics, economics etc.

- What was taught by Louanne - Literature, language, right learning attitude, how to deal with different people in the society, how to love each other, attitude towards life and obstacles

Conclusion: Whole-person Development - Louanne makes a balance between academic (what the ruling class cares) and ethical/ non-academic conceptsAre students engaged in worthwhile relevant experiences or are they encouraged to absorb knowledge directly?

Miss Johnson teaches the students by letting them engage in relevant experiences (Constructive approach)

e.g. The experience in the high-end restaurant learn the manner & make decision

e.g. Writing for the poetry competition - through participating in the competition, learn how to write with seriousness and heart

e.g. Teach students poems by asking their opinions on the writers view

Aims of EducationTransfer Academic KnowledgeMake ChoicesEquip Critical ThinkingCultivate different QualitiesAssert Equality in Education

Aims of EducationTransfer Academic Knowledge Language: English Literature: Poetry Function: to equip students with the required knowledge for their higher education

Aims of EducationMake Choices I will not go down under the ground cause somebody tells me that deaths comin round And I will not carry myself down to die When I go to my grave my head will be high(Bob Dylan: Let Me Die in My Footsteps)Everybody has got a choice, you could stay, or you can leave.(Mrs. Johnson) Study for themselves Also, we have our own choice in our life, depends on how you choose.Function of Education: guide you choose

13Aims of Education Equip students with Critical Thinking Analyze Bob Dylans poems (symbolism & metaphor) encourage students to talk about their own understanding and meaning in a particular poem

Functions: analyze the issues in society right vs wrong(New Insight)e.g.criticize the education system for a pregnant girl Aims of EducationWhole-person education

teach students how to respect other people help students build up self-esteem (e.g. Raul)

Function: transform students to a whole person

Aims of EducationSpread the Message: Equality in Education there are no victims in this classroom(Miss. Johnson)Everyone in the classroom is equal irrespective of their academic resultseverybodys got a choice (Miss. Johnson)everyone in the society is equal irrespective of their social class

Plato had no perception of the uniqueness of individualsthey fall by nature in to classesEducation System in Dangerous MindsAll students experience the SAME curriculum regardless of students interests, abilities and affinities

Miss. Johnson teach something deviate from the curriculum (e.g. karate) catch attention disagree by the school stick to the designate curriculum Miss. Johnson teaches her students according to the curriculum Different Attitudes towards EducationSchool : teach according to the designate curriculumParents: education is useless, children should help the family do houseworkStudents: dont like go to school at the beginning but change at the end

How is Miss Johnson (teacher) depicted in the film?Miss Johnson loves teachingKnowledgeable + enthusiastic about her subjectAlways modifies her teaching methods suit her studentsUses special sentences We want (choose) to die.Teaches lyrics to get the attention from the students teaches poetry

She broke the rules and changed their lives

Teaching Attitude of Miss Johnson21

Classroom Practices Miss Johnson bad experience and treatment in the first day of schoolVery special and challenging studentsStudents nicknamed her white breadLacks authority and planningReads book about discipline overnight modifies her teaching methodsUses special themes and languages teaches her students draw their attention

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How does Miss Johnson treat her students?Miss Johnsons students all from lower class + underprivileged backgrounds looks down on them respect + care to her students, especially their personal problemsRespects their cultural and economic backgrounds they come from

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Example 1Rewards her students chocolate bars + inviting them to the theme parkEncourages her students to learn + pay attention in classHer students are all from lower class do not have so much money for leisureBe more active when having lessons

25Example 2Callie Roberts smart + good at English Becomes pregnant Forces to leave school

Miss Johnson visits her after schoolEncourages her to continue with her studyGives Callie fully support

26Example 3Ral Sanchero frequently involves in fighting + gang crimesMiss Johnson pays a home-visitCongratulates his hard work at schoolRewards him a special dinner because of his hardworkingHis self- esteem + confidence

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Philosophical PerspectivesIdealism Idea and ideal Idea= have a thought, a concept, or a mental picture Ideal= a perfect example of something- a person, belief, principle or causeIdealists believe striving for perfection desirable goal Inner feeling of a particular person only32Idealism in Dangerous Minds----Example 1Miss Johnson achieves idealism + strives for perfectionAll the students in the class have a very dangerous mind Students are all from lower-class and underprivileged backgrounds dislike learning at school Positive attitude in learning

33Miss Johnson give up on her students From now on, everyone has an A.She motivates them by giving them an A grade in the beginning Wants her students to maintain an A + strives for perfection in their learning

A +

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RealismHaving a practical understanding + acceptance of the world idealized or romanticized version of itRealism asserts we live in a world of objects truly exist and are external to usEducation method show and tellUnderstand the objects in the world36Realism in Dangerous Minds----Example 1Miss Johnson wants to gain trust from her studentsTeaches them karate in classShe demonstrates what is karate to her students first (Real object)Her students better understanding about karateMiss Johnson achieves realism in her teaching (Show and tell)

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Pragmatism a metaphysical systemEmphasizes the practical application of ideasTesting them in human experienceFocuses more on the application in the reality39Pragmatism in Dangerous Minds----Example 1Miss Johnson teaches her students using the lyrics of Bob Dylans Mr. Tambourine ManTeaches metaphor + symbolism interest in learning poetryFurther progresses to Dylan Thomass Do not go gentle into that good nightAchieves pragmatism successfully40

Questions for DiscussionDiscussion- Topic 1 How will you, as a teacher, deal with a pregnant student? Suggesting her to drop out, or encouraging her to continue her study?

Discussion- Topic 2How to solve a fight among students?Discussion- Topic 3Do you think home-visit is a good way to solve the problems of students? If not, any alternatives?

Discussion- Topic 4Do you think Miss Johnson is too nave to understand the situation of the students?

Our CommentsYesGrows up in a totally different worldDoesnt know how bad is the situation the students facing (racism, poverty, no hope for tomorrow etc.)

Discussion- Topic 5Do you think she has changed throughout the movie?

Our CommentsYesPays home-visitHelps calie to solve her problem she doesnt need to quit the schoolTeaches the students according to their interestsConclusionConclusionWhat do you think about the message of the film?

Conclusion1. Choice - There is no victim in the class - everyone has a choice - once you have chosen it, you have to do it well2. Caring - respects the choices of all students - thinks according to their points of view - loves the students disregarding their backgrounds - Concerns their personal problems