Presenting a Theoretical Model of Four Conceptions of Civic Education

Overview & Synopsis

This conceptual study will question the ways different epistemological conceptions of citizenship and education influence the characteristics of civic education. While offering a new theoretical framework, the different undercurrent conceptions that lay at the base of the civic education process shall be brought forth. With the use of the method of ideal types, four Utopian conceptions of civic education will be presented: "Liberal Civic Education"; "Diversity Civic Education"; "Critical Civic Education" and "Republican Civic Education." After describing these conceptions and the theoretical field on which they stand, the potential applications of these conceptions in the classrooms and in research will be discussed. "Conceptions of Civic Education--A Comparison" is appended. (Contains 2 figures and 1 footnote.)