Citizenship Education in Ireland
Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE): CSPE is a mandatory post-primary Junior Certificate course in Citizenship Education based on Human Rights and Social Responsibilities. It is concerned with developing in students their full potential for active participatory citizenship at a personal, local, national and international level. It is based on the notion that students will only choose to become active participants in their communities if they feel a sense of attachment to them.
CSPE develops knowledgeable students who can explore, analyse and evaluate, who are skilled and practised in moral and critical appraisal, and capable of making decisions and judgements through a reflective citizenship, based on human rights and social responsibilities. Through the units of study students should come to understand how the seven course concepts: rights and responsibilities; human dignity; law; development; interdependence; stewardship; democracy; serve collectively, though not exclusively, to inform and clarify the concept of citizenship.
CSPE is divided into four units of study: Unit 1: The Individual and Citizenship; Unit 2: The Community; Unit 3: The State – Ireland and Unit 4: Ireland and the World. The syllabus is an enabling one and provides endless opportunities for students and teachers to explore together the contemporary society (local, national and global) within which they live. Through this exploration students and teachers may encounter issues which are controversial and/or sensitive in nature.
There is an emphasis both in the course documents and in the in-service training provided for CSPE on active learning methodologies. A key element of the course is the Action Project. An Action Project is where the students are actively involved in developing an issue or topic which has arisen in class beyond the usual limits of textbooks and course materials. For example, students might research, organise and invite a guest speaker to talk to the class on a particular topic and thereby develop the skills of how to gain access to information and structures. Alternatively, they might run an election or become involved in a campaign at the same time that this is happening locally/nationally thereby developing and practising the skills of participation in the democratic process.
These teaching and learning approaches enable young people to engage with controversial issues through activity, discussion and possibly even action.
The importance of active participation is reflected in the allocation of 60% of the final assessment grade to this area. This percentage should also be reflected in the time spent by the students in active learning and on their Action Projects. The remaining 40% of the marks are allocated to a written terminal examination.
Support and training is provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) through a CSPE Co-ordinator and CSPE Associate. It is funded by the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education and Skills. The work consists of some cluster-based in-service, school-based in-service and workshops organised by several of the non-governmental organisations. Almost all of the third level institutions are now offering courses in CSPE methodology and some post-graduate research is taking place.
CSPE develops knowledgeable students who can explore, analyse and evaluate, who are skilled and practised in moral and critical appraisal, and capable of making decisions and judgements through a reflective citizenship, based on human rights and social responsibilities. Through the units of study students should come to understand how the seven course concepts: rights and responsibilities; human dignity; law; development; interdependence; stewardship; democracy; serve collectively, though not exclusively, to inform and clarify the concept of citizenship.
CSPE is divided into four units of study: Unit 1: The Individual and Citizenship; Unit 2: The Community; Unit 3: The State – Ireland and Unit 4: Ireland and the World. The syllabus is an enabling one and provides endless opportunities for students and teachers to explore together the contemporary society (local, national and global) within which they live. Through this exploration students and teachers may encounter issues which are controversial and/or sensitive in nature.
There is an emphasis both in the course documents and in the in-service training provided for CSPE on active learning methodologies. A key element of the course is the Action Project. An Action Project is where the students are actively involved in developing an issue or topic which has arisen in class beyond the usual limits of textbooks and course materials. For example, students might research, organise and invite a guest speaker to talk to the class on a particular topic and thereby develop the skills of how to gain access to information and structures. Alternatively, they might run an election or become involved in a campaign at the same time that this is happening locally/nationally thereby developing and practising the skills of participation in the democratic process.
These teaching and learning approaches enable young people to engage with controversial issues through activity, discussion and possibly even action.
The importance of active participation is reflected in the allocation of 60% of the final assessment grade to this area. This percentage should also be reflected in the time spent by the students in active learning and on their Action Projects. The remaining 40% of the marks are allocated to a written terminal examination.
Support and training is provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) through a CSPE Co-ordinator and CSPE Associate. It is funded by the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education and Skills. The work consists of some cluster-based in-service, school-based in-service and workshops organised by several of the non-governmental organisations. Almost all of the third level institutions are now offering courses in CSPE methodology and some post-graduate research is taking place.
Useful links
Civic, Social and Political Education: