Human Rights Education as a Model for Citizenship Education

• In Event: Dissecting (De)Humanizing Educational Experiences

Abstract

This paper explores a model of human rights education (HRE) as a framework for citizenship education (CE). Nationalist versions of CE that have dominated social studies education are in disharmony with human rights frameworks. We posit HRE can serve as a model for CE that is characterized by young people: 1) learning about, developing, and practicing activist strategies that challenge dominant ideologies, systems, and hierarchies of power for social transformation; 2) examining the interconnectedness of political, social, economic and cultural domains and developing an understanding of collective fortunes; and 3) developing awareness of their roles and agency at all scales. This framework aims to position CE in a manner consistent with human rights ideals and civic behaviors.

Authors

• Ian McGregor, University of Connecticut - Storrs

• Glenn Tatsuya Mitoma, University of Connecticut

• Sandra Sirota, University of Connecticut