Handbook of Civic Engagement and Education

This Handbook explores the complex relationship between civic engagement and education, identifying contemporary challenges and best approaches to encourage civic engagement within education. It covers theoretical and historical background, ideological and social movements, civic-oriented education, curriculum, and outcomes, and examines ecopedagogy, education in emergencies, and social contract pedagogy. It finds that civic engagement is best supported by humanizing, negotiated, collaborative, and dialogical approaches that develop civic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and moral and ethical values.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2022
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd

This groundbreaking Handbook delves into the intricate interplay between civic engagement and education across various stages of life, unveiling the contemporary challenges and emerging best practices to foster civic engagement within educational contexts. Spanning from the theoretical and historical foundations of civic engagement and education to the examination of ideological and social movements, civic-oriented education, curricula, and outcomes, the Handbook offers a comprehensive exploration. Through the use of empirical comparative data and unique context-specific studies, it delves into the realm of ecopedagogy, education in emergencies, and the novel concept of social contract pedagogy.

Addressing the pressing challenges to civic engagement in education, the Handbook examines the phenomena of polarization and extremism, the rapid pace of planetary and societal changes, the urgent environmental crises, the digital divide, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It ultimately concludes that civic engagement thrives when supported by education practices that prioritize humanizing, negotiated, collaborative, and dialogical approaches, empowering students to cultivate civic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and moral and ethical values.

With an interdisciplinary and international perspective, this Handbook serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars of sociology and education studies. Its holistic understanding of the interconnections between civic engagement and education at local, regional, and global levels is also of immense importance to policymakers seeking to enhance civic and student support, engagement, and participation in education. By shedding light on the complexities and opportunities within this dynamic relationship, this Handbook contributes to a more informed and engaged society.

Dimension: 244 x 169 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800376946