Civics and Citizenship Education in Australia: Challenges, Practices and International Perspectives

Description

Civics and Citizenship Education in Australia provides a comprehensive analysis of teaching and learning in this field in Australian schools, drawing on case study material to demonstrate the current practice in the field. Reflecting on the issues and possibilities raised by the inclusion of civics and citizenship education in the new national Australian curriculum, leading national and international scholars analyse the subject's theoretical, curricular and pedagogical bases and approaches. Placing civics and citizenship education within historical and contemporary contexts, the book critically explores a range of issues concerning the development, organisation and teaching of the subject. These include how the subject might include indigenous, global and Asian perspectives, and how it may help students to engage with issues around sustainability, active citizenship, diversity, religion and values. The final chapters written by scholars from England, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore adopt a comparative approach situating Australian civics and citizenship education in the wider international context.

Andrew Peterson is Senior Lecturer in History and Civic Education at the University of South Australia, Australia. He is the author of Global Learning and Education (with Paul Warwick, 2014) and Civic Republicanism and Civic Education (2011). Libby Tudball is Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Faculty of Education at the Monash University in Victoria, Australia. She is the national President of the Social and Citizenship Education Association of Australia.

This important book provides valuable insights into the changing nature of contemporary citizenship, and uses critical and comparative perspectives to explore the curriculum and pedagogical implications of such changes. It is an invaluable resource for teachers, curriculum planners and curriculum theorists as they grapple to find the most appropriate ways to help young people become active citizens in a globalising world. * Alan Reid, Professor Emeritus, University of South Australia, Australia * This book provides a much-needed and stimulating exploration of the current state of civics and citizenship education in Australia. Peterson and Tudball have brought together an impressive range of authors to provide a compelling and engaging collection of chapters which survey and interrogate key concerns for the subject - both in Australia and elsewhere. The inclusion of perspectives from other nations provides readers with significant insights from eminent scholars in the field, meaning that the book will be of serious interest to all those interested in education for citizenship. * James Arthur, Professor of Education and Civic Engagement, University of Birmingham, UK * On the precipice of introducing Civics and Citizenship as a new school subject, Australia is a fascinating context within which to consider how to educate for civic engagement in a rapidly changing world. In Civics and Citizenship Education in Australia, Peterson and Tudball consider this complex question from multiple vantage points, illuminating the policy, curricular and pedagogical aspects of citizenship education at play in Australia and beyond. * Beth Rubin, Associate Professor of Education, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA * The volume offers a comprehensive examination of the civics and citizenship education in Australia itself and strengthens that contribution by providing a substantial comparative context for understanding and continuing to think about developments in that country. Itbrings together a wide range of Australian scholars and some of the best international researchers working in the field. In their conclusion,editors Andrew Peterson and Libby Tudball express the hope that it will make "a useful contribution to discussions on the new curriculum as well as to the international literature on civics and citizenship education." It will achieve that and more. This unique combination of a detailed focus on one national jurisdiction with international comparative reflections from around the world will set the standard for future work of this nature. * Alan Sears, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of New Brunswick, Canada * This is a valuable contribution to the field, not only as the first comprehensive review and analysis of civics and citizenship education in Australia, but also due to its provision of rich comparative studies. The outstanding and unique features of Australian civics and citizenship education emerge through comparison with other jurisdictions such as Canada, England, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore. This book provides very rich narratives of the Australian contexts, the most up to date experiential attempts to enhance citizenship learning, and lively debates around the issues of citizenship. This includes the acknowledgement of the diversity and inclusiveness of Australian citizenry, and insights into how to create space for students to become active and engaged citizens in Australia, not only for the country's benefit, but for the global world. * Wing On Lee, Professor, Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong *