It is the time of year when brightly colored card stock is passed out and students must decide which classes will fill their seven available slots in their schedule for the upcoming school year. Montgomery County Public Schools requires certain credits in order to graduate, such as four credits each for English and math, and three each for social studies and sciences. Students are also able to choose from a variety of elective classes, most of which are not required for graduation but provide an outlet for students with particular interests to express themselves. Many students are drawn to similar elective classes, and groups of friends sometimes try to take them together. However, elective classes that aren’t as well known may provide an even more enriching experience and open up more interests and opportunities.
For senior Robert Schattner, the philosophy course, taught by social studies teacher Beth Muehl was one of the best classes he has taken in his academic career. Schattner first heard about philosophy during his sophomore year from seeing a flyer advertising the class throughout the hallways.
“I chose to take it because I had no idea what [the class] was,” he said. “It made me curious. I doubt most people know the topics covered inside the class.”
Atypical of standard classes, Muehl said that philosophy is more of a “pop in” course and that she introduces a lot of different ideas in the class but does not spend too much time on any one topic. The units range from ancient Greek philosophies, to discovering one’s own philosophy, to defining what is knowledge and reality.
Schattner also had previously taken AP National, State and Local (NSL) government with Muehl in his sophomore year and loved her teaching style and energetic personality. Throughout the year in philosophy, he found Muehl kept a more lenient attitude by keeping an open environment to talk about anything and taught interesting ideas. Movies helped emphasize these lessons.
“Usually a movie during class is a chance to [fall asleep],” said Schattner. “But we watched real blockbusters: ‘Inception’, ‘The Truman Show’, ‘Minority Report,’ and applied topics from class to what we watched.”
Schattner said philosophy is also less writing intensive. The class seminars provide students a chance to express their feelings and reciprocate with Muehl rather than have her continuously teach concrete information.
“Philosophy is meant to be a class where the students have time to think,” said Muehl. “This changes my [teaching] style, in a sense, because there is no definitive timeline to get through a subject. Therefore, I can add to topics or go quicker through them, depending on the class.”
The class objectives have been useful in Schattner’s everyday life. He said he was able to put a lot of material into college essays and has been more sensitive to the lifestyles of others. Schattner highly recommends the class to students, especially if they have enjoyed AP Psychology.
“I absolutely recommend that students take Philosophy if they are ready and willing to think outside the box,” said Muehl.
