New Perspectives on Civic Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The essays in this special issue of The Civic Arts Review address three fundamental issues concerning civic education: clarifying the meaning given to the word citizen; the nature of a liberal democratic political community; and (given diversity and pluralism), how educators can cultivate civic-mindedness and communal responsibility. An introductory editorial, "Foundations of Citizenship Education" (Bruce Jennings), notes the importance of political and ethical theory that must underlie civic education. David Johnston, in "Individualism and Civic Virtue," looks at the political framework and offers four specific suggestions on how higher education could improve democratic citizenship. "Civic Education and Community Service", by Benjamin R. Barber, summarizes principles identified by the Whitman Center for the Culture and Politics of Democracy at Rutgers University. The next essay, "Civic Education, Liberal Education, and Democracy" (Donald Moon), examines the role of technical expertise, the objectives of liberal education, the nature of democratic discourse, and the content of civic education. "Education for the Common Good" (William M. Sullivan), discusses the concept of the common good within the context of civic politics and civic deliberation. A back page commentary, "Coming to Terms with the Multiculturalists" (Larry McGehee), proposes that active dialogue can create a new multicultural "tradition". (JB)