The purpose of this paper is to describe how and where Lesotho citizens have learned about democracy, their civic life and citizenship. The paper draws from a larger PhD study that was conducted in 2013 that focused on how Basotho people understand the concepts of citizenship and democracy with implications for civic education in Lesotho. This…

Many racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious groups are denied structural inclusion into their nation-state. Consequently, they do not internalize the values and symbols of the nation-state, develop a strong identity with it, or acquire political efficacy. The author conceptualizes this process as "failed citizenship,"…

Should environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD) try to change students' behaviours or should it focus on capacity building and critical thinking? The latter is more likely to lead to a citizenry that can examine new challenges and act wisely. New forms of learning are entering the arena of EE and ESD such as…

Education serves many valuable social functions. Among these functions are the development of skills among students that can be used later in the labor market, the passing of societal history and culture from one generation to the next, and the inculcation of important societal norms and values so students have the opportunity of becoming…

Young citizens growing up in different societies experience multiple socialization processes that help to shape their values and attitudes toward the political life of their societies. In this cross-national study, researchers asked students directly about their views of what "good" citizens do, how they saw themselves participating in…

A critique of existing conceptions of citizenship education is presented. The major conceptual areas that must be clarified are discussed in order to provide the foundation for a reconstructed theory of citizenship education. (Author/MLF)

This book synthesizes the research in diverse fields of the social studies relating to the development of children's awareness of and responsibility for social inequity and social action. The book addresses the issues concerning: the processes by which young people develop a sense of social responsibility; and classroom and school practices that…

Given that there can be no education without values, how do we define values education in a pluralistic, secular, and democratic society, and on what basis? To answer those questions, we must first distinguish between ethics, morality, and values education, and then examine the present-day context in which these concepts are expressed. (TD)

As an agency of socialization, one of the main purposes of the school is to prepare children for responsible membership in society and to encourage appropriate social/moral attitudes and behavior necessary for good citizenship. This study of personal and social skills and values was conducted to help formulate the Canadian core curriculum.…

As is true in all societies, the American schooling process is a formalized effort designed to induct the individual into his/her society. During the course of the 1930s', through the 1940's, and on into the cold war years of the 1950's, a great emphasis was placed on citizenship education; a societal desire to have all American youth…

Traces historical precedents of values development and citizenship education in the United States and Canada. Proposes a framework for democratic values education. Explores teaching methods and classroom environments that promote democratic citizenship education. Exhorts social studies educators to integrate teaching and learning in citizenship…

Few researchers who study political socialization have examined the attitudes, values, and beliefs of low ability, at-risk students. This seems unfortunate if, as is often claimed, the goal of civic education is to deal with all students in such a way as to motivate them to play their part as informed and effective members of a modern democratic…

Offers some examples of integrating character education into curriculum and instruction through service learning and provides a rationale for incorporating service learning throughout the grades. Briefly summarizes educational research supporting service learning and identifies five critical elements of service learning projects. Provides a list…

Criticizes the national civics standards for emphasizing shared political values over political participation, oversimplifying the relationships among U.S. political values, and relying upon elite statements to identify those values. Characterizes the proposed standards as a symbolic ritual for reinforcing cultural hegemony. (MJP)

Endorses the movement, popular among parents and teachers, for implementing ethical instruction in the K-12 curriculum. Discusses the needs and benefits of such instruction. Examines the question of "whose values" are to be taught, and arrives at a consensus of core values, including honesty, compassion, self-discipline, and respect.…