Contemporary liberal democracies face complex and disruptive challenges, such as toxic populism, culture wars, political polarization, religious fundamentalism, the climate emergency, global conflicts, and the influence of powerful social media platforms. This is the disconcerting world that young people are growing up in and need support in…

This article reports a quasi-experimental study that assessed whether purposeful political engagement efforts in the general education classroom, coupled with co-curricular programming, enhances student interest in politics and political efficacy. The subjects of the study were students in political science general education courses at a…

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to chronicle paradigm shifts in American political science during the twentieth century and their influence on political scientists' perspectives on pre-collegiate citizenship education curriculum. Methodology: The research questions explored in this article are concerned with the history of political…

The main developments in this broad curriculum area are traced decade by decade with key signpost successes highlighted, along with examples of retrenchment and opposition to the march of progress. The drivers for change and regression were often central government initiatives but, all along, the activity of progressive educationists/academics and…

Civic engagement is increasingly recognized as a significant function of public universities. The university provides a variety of opportunities for civic engagement, including co-curricular activities, service learning opportunities, and specific majors and minors. This article reviews the attempt to embed civic engagement and civic education…

Why are Americans, and young Americans in particular, so turned off to government and politics? And, what can be done to arrest these trends? In this article, I suggest that three primary, and mutually reinforcing, trends, which can be summed up as the "relevance factor," the "negativity factor," and the "triumphant market factor," have conspired…

This project was designed to improve political science instruction for high school students in the United States. Its primary purpose was to design, develop, test, and disseminate an alternative program for the U.S. government course for grade 12 that sought to increase choices for teachers who wanted to improve basic citizenship competencies of…

Examines conditions leading to student misinformation and alienation in the teaching of the American political system at the secondary school level. Describes textbooks as idealizing the system and presenting blatant propaganda, dreary descriptions, and sugar-coated politics. Outlines curriculum goals to provide students with a positive but…

This bibliography cites over 150 publications on citizenship theory. Sources, arranged alphabetically by author, include books, journal articles, essays, reports, conference papers, and periodicals from 1916--October 1996. (CB)

This guide illustrates a way to organize the 12th grade social studies course according to the "1981 California History/Social Science Framework." The guide is introduced with a listing of the model curriculum standards for teaching United States government, civics, and economics. Also provided are the basic concepts from the…

Addresses the issue of social studies as an academic field of study and whether or not there is a fixed body of knowledge in the social studies. Examines scope and sequence, the purpose and function of history and social sciences in school programs, and social studies as citizenship education. (LS)

A general outline of the development and the status quo of political education in the Netherlands, focusing on the degree of internationalization, is presented. In the light of current and future educational/political developments, attention also is devoted to the North-South issue (the existence of people in developing nations in relation to the…

This paper provides an overview and critique of a team taught, senior level, interdisciplinary college course entitled "AIDS: Challenges and Crises." The details of the course and its underlying rationale are outlined. The paper concludes with a curriculum proposal rooted in the idea of critical education for citizenship. Those who teach political…

It is difficult to attempt to assess citizenship and political education in the United States over time or even at one point in time. The country is huge, culturally and politically diverse, and educational decision making is highly decentralized. Thus, to determine exactly what is being taught in the name of political education is not easy.…

Reports results of task force survey. States that the goal of a political science degree program is to maximize students' capacity to analyze and interpret the significance and dynamics of political events and governmental processes. Offers recommendations in subject matter content, methodology, teaching, and skills. Concludes that the major…