Toward Vibrant Democracies: A Comparative Analysis of Civic Education Policies and Practices in Four Countries

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In representative democracies around the world, civic educators aim to guide the democratic engagement of young citizens. This symposium compares the guidance offered in four democracies: Norway, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States. In particular, it examines the supports offered by schools in helping students become more engaging citizens (i.e. school curricula, mock elections, or classroom pedagogies). Panelists will discuss the differences in the four political regimes as well as their earlier works on political and democratic identity development, participation, literacy, competencies, and civic education. This symposium hopes to provide a space where civic educators and researchers can learn about the challenges and lessons learned from efforts to stimulate the democratic engagement of youth around the world.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Democratic Citizenship in Education

Chair

• Walter Parker, University of Washington - Seattle

Papers

• An Institution of Political Education: How Do Mock Elections Justify Political Participation? The Norwegian Case - Julie Ane Odegaard, University of Bergen

• Mock Elections in the Netherlands: Practices and Aims - Isolde de Groot, University of Humanistic Studies

• Teaching for Participative Citizenship in an Authoritarian Regime: The Case of Singapore - Jasmine Boon-Yee Sim, Nanyang Technological University

• Bridging a Polarizing Divide: Election Simulation in a U.S. Advanced Placement Government Course - Jane C Lo, Florida State University

Discussant

• Carole L. Hahn, Emory University