Syllabus (2023)
Course name: Project Learning
Instructor: Dr. Neil Boland
Rationale:
This course is intended to enable the students to become independent researchers
in their field of
practice. Namely, the aims of the course are primarily concerned with developing
practitioners as
researchers in the broadest sense. The students will be exposed to a variety of
inquiry approaches
such as U-theory, contemplative inquiry, meditative Inquiry, biographical method,
etc. it is expected
that the students as educational practitioners will be able to inquire into the
genuine problems in their
situation with appropriate research approach in order to transform themselves and
their practices.
objectives:
After finishing this course, students are expected to acquire the ability of
Establishing a research question relevant to their practices,
Identifying suitable research approaches,
reframing and transforming ways of action,
and structuring a thesis.
Content:
The curriculum content will consist of six units.
Unit I. Action research (reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action; espoused
theory and theory-in-
use);
Unit II. Narrative inquiry (hermeneutical circle; fusion of horizons; I-thou
relationship)
Unit III. Theory U ( Seeing, Sensing, Presencing, Crystalizing, Prototyping, and
Performing)
Unit IV Contemplative inquiry (object, Image, Spiritual Activity, Agency)
Unit V Three paths of learning (Earthy learning, Destiny Learning and Divine
Learning)
Unit VI Presentations of inquiry projects
Teaching methods:
1. Lectures
2. Group activities
3. Individual project
Evaluation:
Participation (30%)
Group work (30%)
Final paper and presentation (40%)
(15 pages in length, double-spaced)
Required readings:
Goodson, I. F., & Gill, S.R. (2011). Narrative pedagogy: Life history and
learning. New York: Peter
Lang.
Scharmer, C. Otto. (2018). The essentials of Theory U. Oakland, CA: Berrett-
Koehler Publishers.
Schon, D. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action.
New York: Basic
Books.
van Houten, C. (2011) Creative spiritual research. Forest Row, RH18 5ES: Temple
Lodge.
Zajonc, A. (2009). Meditation as contemplative inquiry: When knowing becomes love.
Great
Barrington, MA: Lindisfarne Books.