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ERIC Number: EJ984439
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0895-4852
EISSN: N/A
Civic Education versus Civic Engagement
Downs, Donald A.
Academic Questions, v25 n3 p343-347 Sep 2012
This article presents the author's critique on a new report titled "A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy's Future", and focuses on civic education and civic engagement. The Obama administration's new report confronts a genuine problem in American education. The decline of civic education and knowledge in America is one of the few problems about which both sides of the political spectrum can agree, at least in principle. Many surveys and studies in recent years have exposed a stunning lack of basic knowledge among the citizenry--especially the young--about America's constitutional system and the political systems of other countries. The author argues that, in assuming a decidedly progressive posture on civic education and engagement, the report ironically represents a failure of the civic education and engagement it purports to champion. The author's point here is that a persuasive report on civic education and engagement that attempts to see things from a higher perspective should recognize two truths: (1) that profound and legitimate disagreement reigns over the best solutions to problems the report cites; and (2) "that recognizing this disagreement is essential to civic education and engagement." He contends that "Crucible" will generate creedal passion in its own right. But it lets one down by failing to integrate creedal disagreement into its vision of citizenship, civic engagement, and civic education. (Contains 8 footnotes.)
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A