Educating for Democracy: Preparing Undergraduates for Responsible Political Engagement

From the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the book Educating for Democracy reports the results of the Political Engagement Project (PEP), a study of educational practices at the college level that prepare students for responsible democratic participation. In this book, the co-authors show that education for political development can increase students’ political understanding, skill, motivation, and involvement, while contributing to many aspects of general academic learning.

The book begins with the assumption that reasonably well-informed, capable, engaged, and public-spirited citizens are essential if a democracy is to flourish. It then characterises and discusses both civic and political participation, as well as pathways to political engagement.

Chapters include the following:

1. Citizenship, Politics, and Civic Engagement. 2. The Role of Higher Education In Preparing Citizens. 3. The Open Inquiry Imperative. 4. Creating Environments of Open Inquiry. 5. Teaching for Political Knowledge and Understanding. 6. Teaching Democratic Participation Skills. 7. Fostering Political Motivation. 8. Learning Through Discussion and Deliberation. 9. Learning Through Political Research and Action Projects. 10. Learning Through Speakers and Mentors. 11. Learning Through Placements, Internships, and Service Learning. 12. Learning Through Structured Reflection. 13. Putting the Pieces Together. Appendix A: Course and Program Summaries. Appendix B: Survey Scales and Results.