Answer to Question #215566 in English for Shirleen

Question

1.1 Discuss what is meant by the following:

a) Modern democracy (4)

b) Citizenship education (4)

1.2 What is meant by ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ notions (ideas) of the citizen education curriculum?(4)

1.3 What does it mean to use a cosmopolitan approach to citizenship education? (4)

1.4 Explain the main aspects of citizenship education in the United Kingdom. (4)

[20]

Answer 1

Modern Democracy.

Modern democracy is the government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

Citizenship Education.

Citizenship education is education that gives people the knowledge and skills to understand, challenge and engage with democratic society including politics, the media, civil society, the economy and the law. In addition, it is education that provides the background knowledge necessary to create an ongoing stream of new citizens participating and engaging with the creation of a civilized society.

” Soft Notions”

Soft notions are the strategies which include usage of abilities that aim at attracting and co-opting citizens into participating in community projects for their own benefits. This are not written laws or stategies but rather sacrifices made by individuals

Cosmopolitan Approach to Citizenship Education

Cosmopolitanism is the idea that all human beings are members of a single community. The idea encompasses different dimensions and avenues of community, such as promoting universal moral standards, establishing global political structures, or developing a platform for mutual cultural expression and tolerance.Cosmopolitan citizenship education is a transformational approach to education that empowers students to become global citizens through active involvement in the local, national and global communities while seeking to build a better world.The cosmopolitan approach to citizenship education aims to educate children, from early childhood, to become clear-thinking and enlightened citizens who participate in decisions concerning society. Human rights and citizen rights are interdependent. Cosmopolitanism approach various encompasses perspectives as; an identification with the world or with humanity in general that transcends local commitments, a position of openness and or tolerance toward the ideas and values of distinct others, an expectation of historical movement toward global peace, and a normative stance advocating cosmopolitan aims and actions.

The Main Aspects of Citizenship Education in The United Kingdom

Democracies need active, informed and responsible citizens - citizens who are willing and able to take responsibility for themselves and their communities and contribute to the political process. The general procedures used to develop educational objectives for the National Assessment of Educational Progress are outlined, as are the procedures used to develop citizenship objectives. Ten general objectives are stated: "show concern for the welfare and dignity of others"; "support rights and freedoms of all individuals"; "help maintain law and order"; "know the main structure and functions of our governments"; "seek community improvement through active, democratic participation"; "understand problems of international relations"; "support rationality in communication, thought and action on social problems"; "take responsibility for own personal development and obligations"; "help and respect their own families"; and "nurture the development of their children as future citizens." Each objective is divided into sub-objectives, and behaviors are suggested appropriate for four chosen age levels