Sue Knight

Last updated

Sue Knight
Sue Knight at Skepticon 2018, Sydney Australia.jpg
Sue Knight at Skepticon Australia 13 October 2018
NationalityAustralian
EducationPhD in Philosophy, Bachelor of Education
EmployerPrimary Ethics
Notable workNSW Ethics Course Trial: Final Report

Sue Knight is an Australian philosopher, educator and academic whose research focuses on teaching reasoning skills and embedding philosophy within school curricula. She is the author of the Primary Ethics curriculum, which has been offered as an alternative to Scripture in New South Wales public schools for students from Kindergarten to Year 6 since 2010.

Contents

Education

Knight was awarded a PhD in Philosophy in 1978 from the University of Adelaide with a thesis examining "the problem of universals, a fundamental problem within Metaphysics". [1]

In 1981 she earned a Bachelor of Education from the same university. After becoming interested in the work of Matthew Lipman, Knight undertook an advanced training workshop at the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC) founded by Dr Lipman at Montclair State University, New Jersey, USA. The Philosophy for Children program aims to engage students of all ages (from kindergarten to the senior secondary) in philosophical inquiry. [1]

Career

Knight's career has focused on development of justificatory reasoning skills and embedding philosophy within school curricula across the year levels. [2]

"[The] basis of philosophy is …the giving of reasons and the critique of other people's reasons and really what a democratic society needs is people who can reason well and the individual needs that as well."

— Rock Ethics Institute presents an interview with Dr. Sue Knight, 2015 [3]
University of Adelaide, Bonython Hall & Conservatorium. UofAdelaide-BonythonHall&Conservatorium-front-Aug08.jpg
University of Adelaide, Bonython Hall & Conservatorium.

On her return to Australia, Knight took up academic positions first with the University of Adelaide and then with the University of South Australia's School of Education, holding both teach and research positions for over 20 years. [4]

Her career focus has led to her involvement in writing South Australia's Senior Secondary Philosophy curriculum and she served as inaugural Chair of the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia's Philosophy Subject Advisory Committee.

Knight established and held the inaugural Chair of the South Australian Philosophy in Education Association, which is involved in primary and middle school education.

From 2006 to 2009 Knight held the joint editorship of Critical and Creative Thinking: The Australasian Journal of Philosophy in Education with Carol Collins. [4]

Other contributions Knight has made to the field of philosophy for children include:

New South Wales Ethics Course Trial

Parliament house, Sydney, NSW. Author: Adam.J.W.C. Parliament house sydney nsw..jpg
Parliament house, Sydney, NSW. Author: Adam.J.W.C.

In 2010 Knight was chief evaluator of the NSW Ethics Course Trial [13] [14] and published her final report in September 2010. [15] In December 2010 New South Wales Parliament amended the New South Wales Education Act to give students who do not attend Special Religious Education (Scripture) classes in NSW public schools the legal right to attend philosophical ethics classes as an option to supervised "private study". [16]

Knight resigned from the University of South Australia to become lead curriculum author for Primary Ethics Limited, an independent not-for-profit organisation, chosen to create the Ethics program to be delivered as the alternative to Special Religious Education (Scripture) in NSW Public schools. [3] [17] Both the trial and the introduction of ethics classes was not without controversy with objections and support coming from various church, secular, school and parent groups [18] [19] [20] and interest from other states. [21]

Related Research Articles

Education in Australia encompasses the sectors of early childhood education (preschool) and primary education, followed by secondary education, and finally tertiary education, which includes higher education and vocational education. Regulation and funding of education is primarily the responsibility of the States and territories; however, the Australian Government also plays a funding role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Prince Alfred Hospital</span> Hospital in Sydney, Australia

The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, located on Missenden Road in Camperdown. It is a teaching hospital of the Central Clinical School of the Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney and is situated in proximity to the Blackburn Building of the university's main campus. RPAH is the largest hospital in the Sydney Local Health District, with approximately 1200 beds. Following a $350 million redevelopment, the perinatal hospital King George V Memorial Hospital has been incorporated into it.

Philosophy for Children, sometimes abbreviated to P4C, is a movement that aims to teach reasoning and argumentative skills to children. There are also related methods sometimes called "Philosophy for Young People" or "Philosophy for Kids". Often the hope is that this will be a key influential move towards a more democratic form of democracy. However, there is also a long tradition within higher education of developing alternative methods for teaching philosophy both in schools and colleges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smith's Hill High School</span> School in Australia

Smith's Hill High School, also known as Smiths Hill High School, is a government-funded co-educational academically selective secondary day school, located in Wollongong, in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeton High School</span> School in Australia

Leeton High School is a government-funded co-educational comprehensive secondary day school, located in Leeton in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabramatta High School</span> School in Australia

Cabramatta High School is a government-funded co-educational comprehensive secondary day school, located on Aladore Avenue, Cabramatta, a south-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The Ethics Centre, formerly the St James Ethics Centre, is a fully independent not-for-profit organisation which provides a non-judgmental forum for the promotion and exploration of ethics and ethical decision-making. The Ethics Centre works with business, professions, community groups, governments and individuals to encourage and assist them to include the ethical dimension in their daily lives. It is based in Sydney, Australia.

The Faculty of Law and Justice of the University of New South Wales is a law school situated in Sydney, Australia. It is widely regarded as one of Australia's top law schools. The 2021 QS World University Rankings rank the UNSW Law Faculty 13th in the world, first for undergraduate law in Australia, 2nd overall in Australia and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region, and the 2021 Times Higher Education subject rankings also rank it second in Australia, making it the top ranked law school in New South Wales according to both tables, as well as being the top undergraduate Law school in the country.

Performing arts education in Australia refers to the teaching of different styles of creative activity that are performed publicly. The performing arts in Australia encompasses many disciplines including music, dance, theatre, musical theatre, circus arts and more. Performing arts education in Australia occurs both formally and informally at all levels of education, including in schools, tertiary institutions and other specialist institutions. There is also a growing body of evidence, from the Australian Council for the Arts and the Parliament of Australia, showing that First Nation's participation in the arts and culture has significant economic, social and cultural benefits to Australia and further supports the outcomes of the Australian governments ‘Closing the Gap’ campaign. There has been an increasing number of scholarships opening up in educational institutions for Indigenous Australians aimed at encouraging this participation in the arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eureka Prizes</span> Annual prizes awarded by the Australian Museum

The Eureka Prizes are awarded annually by the Australian Museum, Sydney, to recognise individuals and organizations who have contributed to science and the understanding of science in Australia. They were founded in 1990 following a suggestion by science journalist Robyn Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Piccoli</span> Australian politician

Adrian Piccoli is a former Australian politician who represented the electoral district of Murray in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2017, and the district of Murrumbidgee from 1999 to 2015. He was the deputy leader of the Nationals in the New South Wales Parliament from 2008 to 2016. Piccoli served as the Minister for Education between April 2011 and January 2017, in both the O'Farrell and Baird ministries.

James Franklin is an Australian philosopher, mathematician and historian of ideas.

The Australian Curriculum is a national curriculum for all primary and secondary schools in Australia under progressive development, review, and implementation. The curriculum is developed and reviewed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, an independent statutory body. Since 2014 all states and territories in Australia have begun implementing aspects of the Foundation to Year 10 part of the curriculum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycée Condorcet (Sydney)</span> School in Maroubra, New South Wales, Australia

Lycée Condorcet Sydney is a French-based independent co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary day school, located in Maroubra, an eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulladulla High School</span> School in Australia

Ulladulla High School is a government-funded co-educational comprehensive secondary day school, located in the town of Ulladulla on the south-east coast of New South Wales, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philosothon</span>

A Philosothon is an annual competition wherein students explore philosophical and ethical issues. Philosothons are held annually in all Australian states, New Zealand, and the UK.

Dr Eugen Molodysky OAM, MMBS is an academic and medical practitioner in preventive medicine and translational research. His research has been published in peer reviewed journals over the last 30 years. He has a life-long professional focus on prevention, preclinical diagnosis and early intervention.

Special Religious Education (SRE), aka 'Scripture,' is optional instruction in a particular religious persuasion in New South Wales government schools ie. students attend after being opted-in by their parents or carers. Time is allocated in NSW government schools for qualified SRE volunteers to teach students about their chosen religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Donnelly</span> Conservative Australian educator, author, and commentator (born 1952)

Kevin John Donnelly is an Australian educator, author and commentator. He is Senior Fellow at the Australian Catholic University's PM Glynn Institute

Bernadette Tobin is an Australian Catholic ethicist and professor of philosophy. She is the daughter of political activist and journalist B.A. Santamaria.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About". www.sueknight.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "Dr Sue Knight, Curriculum Author". Primary Ethics: Ethics Education for Children. August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 Rock Ethics Institute (24 April 2015), An Interview with Dr. Sue Knight , retrieved 20 August 2018
  4. 1 2 "About presenter Dr Knight: Philosophy in the Classroom Introductory Training (formerly Level 1)". Eventbrite. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "Working Party members; Philosophy in the curriculum | FAPSA". fapsa.org.au. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  6. ↑ Happy & Well (23 August 2012), Sue Knight 'How can we teach ethics?' at Young Minds 2012 , retrieved 20 August 2018
  7. ↑ "Transcript, Meeting 22, Session 3 | Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues: Susan Knight, Ethical and Deliberative Skills Across the Lifespan". bioethicsarchive.georgetown.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "The Richard B. Lippin Lectureship in Ethics — Rock Ethics Institute | Meet the Challenge. Stand Up. Make a Difference". rockethics.psu.edu. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  9. ↑ Knight, Sue (29 April 2015), Ronald B Lippin Lecture in Ethics 2015: After Lipman: A Developmental K-6 Ethics Curriculum, vol. Rock Ethics Institute, retrieved 20 August 2018
  10. ↑ "2015 Moral Literacy Colloquium — Rock Ethics Institute | Meet the Challenge. Stand Up. Make a Difference". rockethics.psu.edu. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  11. ↑ Happiness & Its Causes, 10-11 June 2015, Luna Park, Sydney: conference brochure (PDF). Happiness&itscauses.com.au.
  12. ↑ "Dr. Sue Knight: Australian Skeptics National Convention 2018". convention.skeptics.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  13. ↑ Gilmore, Heath (4 July 2010). "SA academic to assess school ethics trial". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  14. ↑ Maley, Jacqueline (6 September 2010). "Judgment day looms for verdict on ethics classes pilot". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  15. ↑ NSW Ethics Course Trial: Final Report / Prepared by Dr. Sue Knight. Sydney, N.S.W: New South Wales. Department of Education Training, & Tafe NSW. 2010.
  16. ↑ Education Amendment (Ethics) Act 2010: Amendment of Education Act 1990 No 8, Section 33A (PDF). Sydney, NSW: New South Wales Parliament. 2010. pp. Assented on Tue 7 Dec 2010 - Act No 124 of 2010 (GG No. 133, 10/12/2010, p. 5769).
  17. ↑ "About Primary Ethics". Ethics education for children. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  18. ↑ "Evaluator of School Ethics Classes Own Ethics Questioned: Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney - News". www.sydneycatholic.org. Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  19. ↑ Thomas, Stacy (7 December 2017). "Ethics classes proving a popular alternative to scripture in Sydney's west". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  20. ↑ CONNELL, TIM (26 February 2016). "Complaints of bad faith over ethics". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  21. ↑ Hurst, Daniel (28 November 2010). "Should our kids learn about ethics?". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.