Who Am I and What Do I Care About? Supporting Civic Identity in Civic Education

• In Event: Civic Identities and Democratic Education

Abstract

Democratic participation requires civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and K–12 civic education can support development of students’ capacities in these domains. Facilitating student explorations of their civic identity is crucial to helping them become authentic civic participants. However, identity exploration encompasses a range of complex topics, and there are pedagogical challenges to teaching identity. In this paper we specifically argue for the need to teach students to consider their values in relation to their civic identities and as a lens through which to understand themselves and others. We highlight the utility of a project-based learning curriculum that incorporates civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions and enables students to practice being active and authentic civic participants.

Authors

• Julia Jeffries, Harvard University

• Paulina Haduong, Harvard University

• Allison Pao

• Danielle Allen, Harvard University