OVp129 Critical Issues in Democratic Citizenship Education

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2022
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Barbora Vacková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Elizabeth Anne Washington (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Barbora Vacková, Ph.D.
Department of Civics – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jitka Autratová
Supplier department: Department of Civics – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
OVp129/01: Mon 12:00–13:50 učebna 70, except Mon 24. 10.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course is designed to engage teacher-scholars in critical issues centered around the place of schooling in a robust, deliberative democracy. We will take into account the climate of extreme political polarization, attacks on the nature of the public sphere, race and class segregation as determinants of what kind of civic education students will get, and the challenges of teaching controversial issues. We will explore theoretical, political, and educational perspectives, while maintaining a focus on classroom teachers and the difficult work they do to prepare students for participation in a vibrant civic culture. My additional goals are to facilitate your use of this body of work to inform your own scholarship and teaching; to enhance your ability to write coherent, thoughtful, and scholarly essays; and to support your skills and confidence in facilitating and participating in scholarly discussions with peers. I am also available to help you develop a research agenda if you are considering graduate studies.
Learning outcomes
To Keep in Mind Throughout the Course • This is not a methods course. This is an advanced graduate course in which you will be reading a variety of research studies that are very descriptive. They feature scholarship that comprises theory, quantitative methods, and qualitative methods, from informative longitudinal survey data to fascinating case studies of classroom teachers. • I curated readings that I think have a good story to tell. Most of these readings are based on research in “real world” classroom settings, where the voices of teacher and student participants are prominent. For the readings that are more theoretical/conceptual, you will be able to discern interesting implications for the classroom. • I do not claim an exhaustive coverage of democratic citizenship issues. I selected some exemplars that have emerged in the research literature on democratic citizenship/civic education because they are interesting. They are not meant to be the “last word” on the subject – just some great food for thought and hopefully a challenge for your thinking. • In thinking about what to include, I may have neglected to include something important. If you notice anything, please reach out so that I can address it.
Syllabus
  • 1. What makes a "good" citizen in a democracy? 2. What contextual issues in U. S. society are putting democratic citizenship education at risk? 3. What does some of the research say about how teacher beliefs shape democratic citizenship/civic education? 4. What are some ethical concerns to be mindful of in framing and selecting political issues for classroom discussion? What are some ethical concerns to be mindful of about teachers’ withholding and/or disclosing their political views? 5. What are some issues related to the civic identities of young people? 6. How/what do students learn and experience in a civics classroom? 7. How might we think about moving towards a critical pedagogy for democratic citizenship education?
Literature
  • Course resources depend on the actual teacher (according to course content).
Teaching methods
Class discussion will be structured around the readings and other resources in each module (week of the semester). We will take turns leading discussions, and we will focus on synthesizing ideas and themes within and across readings. We will also talk about how you can apply new ideas to your own work and experience in education.
Assessment methods
The actual assessment methods depend on teacher's choice (the basis of prior consultation with the subject-guarantee).
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Course resources depend on the actual teacher (according to course content).
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2022/OVp129