Reimagining Education's Role in the Imagined Community: Toward a More Comprehensive Theory of Political Socialization

• In Event: 32.058 - Democratic Citizenship in Education SIG Paper Discussion (Roundtable) Session 1

Abstract

In the face of the changing demographics and increased mobility, education scholars need to grapple with questions around individuals’ political socialization and civic development. Thus, this theoretical paper examines the underpinnings of the political socialization literature and brings together research from political science, sociology, psychology, education and youth development research around to examine the relationship between the concept of belonging at the various levels it has been studied (i.e. national & macro or individual & micro) to form a more comprehensive view of students’ political socialization. This paper’s guiding question asks what is missing from our current view of students’ political socialization and how can research from the different disciplines help develop a more complete understanding of youth’s civic development?

Author

• Kristina Brezicha, Georgia State University