Civic, Social and Political Education Junior Certificate Syllabus OUTLINE

Education Department NUIM GJ

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Civic, Social

and Political

Education

Junior Certificate SyllabusOUTLINE


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Civic, Social and Political EducationJunior Certificate Syllabus

Introduction - 1. The importance of CSPE

* CSPE aims to prepare students for active participatory citizenship.

* This is achieved through exploring the CSP dimensions of their own lives.

* An outcome is that they can make judgments and decisions through a reflective citizenship based on human rights and social responsibilities.

* Society is changing and complex.


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* CSPE enables individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities and the nature of democracy.

* Attention to the concepts, attitudes and values central to citizenship develops the moral and critical faculties of the pupil.

* CSPE seeks to equip young people with the skills and understanding of processes which enable them to see, decide, judge and act.

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* The use of active and co-operatively structured learning methodologies enables and empowers the pupil to become an active and participating young person.

* CSPE aims concord wholly with the aims of the Junior Certificate

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Introduction - 2. The scope of CSPE

* There are CSPE dimensions across the Junior Cert. programme. The subject increases the potential for cross-curricular work.

* How schools themselves operate impacts on young people’s understandings of CSP dimensions of their lives. Through its ‘hidden curriculum’, a school provides aspects of CSPE even when this is not explicit.

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* The subject provides a concentrated focus on all aspects of CSPE with particular emphasis on the importance of active, participatory citizenship to the life of the young person in society.

* The subject aims to give students a central reference point for those aspects of CSPE which they learn about in other subjects, and through their daily school-life.

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* Course content is written in the form of unit descriptions rather than a list of topics. This gives scope and flexibility to teachers and students to select and deal with issues such as gender equity, racism and xenophobia, interculturalism, the environment, development, work and unemployment, poverty and homelessness, minorities, and conflict situations such as that in Northern Ireland.

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Introduction - 3. The Structure of the Course

One class period per week - approximately 70 hours over 3 years (40 minute classes)

Four units of study1. The Individual and Citizenship

2. The Community 3. The State - Ireland

4. Ireland and the World


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* Developmental sequence - neither discrete nor mutually exclusive - topics, ideas and concepts will overlap.

* Not all topics listed need to be studied, nor must they be studied sequentially.

* Flexible approach suggested - consult the guidelines


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* Student should undertake at least TWO class/group action projects.

* An action project is one where the pupils are actively involved in developing an issue or topic which has arisen in class.

* Connect the topics and issues with their own lives.


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2. Aims and Objectives of CSPEAims

* to make pupils aware of the csp dimensions of their lives and the importance of active, participatory citizens in the life of the state

* to encourage and develop practical skills which enable pupils to engage in active, participatory social interaction, and to adopt responsible roles as individual, family member, citizen, worker, consumer, and member of various communities within a democratic society


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* to develop the autonomous potential of pupils as socially literate, independent and self-confident young people

* to encourage pupils to apply positive attitudes, imagination and empathy in learning about , and encountering, other people and cultures

* to enable pupils to develop their critical and moral faculties in agreement with a system of values based on human rights and social responsibilities


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* to develop knowledge and understanding of processes taking place at all levels of society which lead to social, political and economic decision-making.


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2. Aims and Objectives of CSPEObjectives

outlined in terms of

KNOWLEDGE

CONCEPTS

SKILLS

ATTITUDES-VALUES


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2. Aims and Objectives of CSPEObjectives

Achieved through active participatory class-work where the emphasis is on learning-by-doing. Students should experience:

1. Research - discovery activities

2. Group-work – discussion activities

3. Simulation activities

4. Action activities


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2. Aims and Objectives of CSPE

KNOWLEDGEof:

* the development of the person as a social being

* various social groups to which every person belongs

* rights and responsibilities of every person as a citizen

* structure, function and workings of selected civic and political organisations, institutions and systems – how they interact and how individuals can participate in them


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KNOWLEDGEof:

* selected issues of personal, social and political development at all levels – personal, local, national and global

* how decisions at all levels are made and applied, particularly within the context of a democratic political system


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CONCEPTS

Central concept is that ofCitizenship

- the realisation of the civic, social and political dimensions of the life of the individual person through active

participation in society

informed and clarified by seven key concepts


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CONCEPTS

The seven key concepts are:

DemocracyRights and Responsibilities

Human dignityInterdependence

DevelopmentLaw

Stewardship


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SKILLS

Identification – awareness

Analysis – evaluation

Communication

Action


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ATTITUDES - VALUES

a personal commitment to active, constructive, participative citizenship

a personal commitment to the concepts underlying the CSPE course

an appreciation of critical awareness and independence of thought based on the knowledge and skills learnt during the course

an appreciation of, and respect for, differing viewpoints, ideas and cultures and an ability to empathise with the situation of other individuals and groups


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ATTITUDES - VALUES

awareness of, and respect for, the rights and responsibilities of all individuals and groups in society

a respect for critical thought processes and non-violent ways of resolving conflict and achieving change in society

a commitment to oppose prejudice, discrimination and social injustice at all levels of society


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ASSESSMENT

Assessment in in two modes:

1. (40%) There is a terminal written examination at the end of the third year of the course. (One level)

2. (60%) Submission of either a:

Report on an Action ProjectorCourse-work Assessment Book

Documents

Civic, Social and Political Education Junior Certificate Syllabus OUTLINE