Introduction
CONTEXT
Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) was introduced as an obligatory subject in the Junior Certificate Curriculum in 1997. Since then a variety of resource materials and guidelines have been made available to teachers. These guidelines now present teachers with all aspects of the CSPE programme and its assessment in a comprehensive fashion.
These guidelines draw upon the experience of teachers in implementing the syllabus and reflect the various changes that have been made to the assessment instruments in recent years. As with all syllabus guidelines, they are not prescriptive. Teachers exercise professional judgement in choosing the teaching and learning strategies that will support the achievement of the objectives of the Civic, Social and Political Education syllabus.
THE AIMS OF CIVIC, SOCIAL ANDPOLITICAL EDUCAION
Through active exploration and study of citizenship at all levels (personal, local, national, global) in the context of contemporary social and political issues, this course aims to:
- make students aware of the civic, social and political dimensions of their lives and the importance of active, participative citizens to the life of the state and all people
- encourage and develop the practical skills which enable students to engage in active participatory social interaction, and to adopt responsible roles as individuals, family members, citizens, workers, consumers, and members of various communities within a democratic society
- develop the autonomous potential of students as socially literate, independent and self-confident young people
- encourage students to apply positive attitudes, imagination and empathy in learning about, and encountering, other people and cultures
- enable students to develop their critical thinking skills in agreement with a system of values based in human rights and responsibilities
- develop knowledge and understanding of processes taking place at all levels of society which lead to social, political and economic decision-making.
THE AIMS OF THE GUIDELINES
These guidelines aim to:
- support teachers in planning a three year programme of study
- encourage the use of a wide range of active learning methodologies in CSPE
- assist teachers in planning and organising appropriate Action Projects with their students
- encourage appropriate cross-curricular linkages
- provide support for the assessment of CSPE by means of draft sample questions, sample answers and criteria for assessment.
PLEASE NOTE
These teacher guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) syllabus. All information provided in these teacher guidelines is correct at the time of publication. Teachers should, however, consult all current circular letters regarding CSPE issued by the Department of Education and Science and the State Examinations Commission.