Polarization is increasingly impacting Extension's work in communities. Extension has untapped potential to address division and lack of civility by building civic infrastructure and skills for constructive dialogue. We describe a pilot program that began as a one-off event and grew into a series organized by University of Wisconsin-Madison…

The call to promote social justice sets the social work profession in a political context. In an effort to enhance social workers' preparedness to engage in political advocacy, this article calls on educators to integrate a broad theoretical understanding of power into social policy curricula. We suggest the use of a multidimensional…

Defines citizenship and makes a case for turning it into a crusade. (JOW)

This paper aims to demonstrate that two traditionally opposed approaches--the official view and a revisionist approach--conflate in defence of authoritarianism in the teaching of History. The main focus is on school textbooks published between 1956, the year when an educational reform was introduced following President Peron's overthrow, and 1983,…

Results showing the decline in students' attitudes and knowledge about government is focusing attention on the question of whether American youth are receiving an appropriate citizen education. (Author/IRT) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Interpretation).

A study of the relationships between television use and political socialization indicated that lower levels of political information and understandings of the workings of government are associated with increased quantities of television viewing, but that positive political attitudes and higher levels of political knowledge are associated with…

The formation of authentic public opinion requires confrontation with political realities and open discussion. This report presents findings of a study, conducted by The Harwood Group, that sought to describe the nature of the process through which citizens learn about public concerns and engage in them. The report argues that the seemingly…

Presents Swedish views on Iran-Contra hearings and outlines issues for classroom instruction. Stresses the need to examine both the positive and negative effects of the media and the importance of teaching democratic principles. (DH)

Public affairs instructors must routinely contend with the reality that stressing the importance of political knowledge is challenging in an era of declining student interest in politics and political institutions. Yet enhancing students' knowledge about public affairs can stimulate more interest and engagement in public affairs, particularly if…

The Williamsburg Charter Foundation is a group a leaders from business, academic, political, and religious communities concerned about the importance of the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty in public life and about the ability of people to live together in a spirit of civility despite deep religious differences. This document is a…

This article presents a way of looking at decision making that can facilitate students' achievement of citizenship skills that may enable them to be more effective participants during and between elections. (AV)

Five consumer activists relate consumerism to education through: 1) a history of consumerism, 2) the relationship between economic and political citizenship, 3) the use of consumer problems to analyze political decision making, 4) comparing economic systems, and 5) education for consumer activism. (JH)