A Study on Herbart's Theory of School Curriculum : With Reference to the Historical Organization of Human Experience through Developing Students' Interests

Abstract

The aims of the study are to examine the principles of scope and sequence in Herbart's school curriculum and to consider its significance in the development of the modern school curriculum theory. In order to achieve these aims, an analysis is carried out of Herbart's writings and official documents from the Konigsberg academic committee. This study finds that: Herbart envisaged two branches of instruction in the school curriculum using the medium of history to develop students' interests. The Konigsberg academic committee planned school curriculum on the basis of Herbart's principles and systematized the content in terms of the historical organization of human experience. The committee expanded Herbart's principles into a theory of curriculum organization unique in the history of modern school curricula.