A General Introduction to Skills-Based Instruction in Philosophy

This paper introduces the method of skills-based instruction, a novel approach to teaching which emphasizes the relevance of philosophical strategies in the modern world, balances instructor workload, preserves student autonomy, and fosters genuine reciprocity and accountability in the classroom. Skills-based instruction can be used either as a supplement to a traditional lecture format or as the foundation for a fully discussion-based course, depending upon the context. To provide a comprehensive overview of this method, I outline eight foundational principles which characterize its practice; establish connections to existing models for liberatory education such as those offered by Pablo Freire and bell hooks; and provide specific examples of how this method can be implemented in both introductory and advanced courses, at different class sizes, and with different course modalities. I conclude by offering several suggestions for further development and inviting adaptations for the wider application of this methodology.

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