A Challenge for Social Studies Educators: Increasing Civility in Schools and Society by Modeling Civic Virtues

Abstract

Many scholars, teachers, parents, as well as others, are concerned with the decline of civility in public discourse and public schools. The sharp differences among various ideological groups, exacerbated by media incivility, are contributing factors to rising incivility. This ideological divide currently manifests itself in bitter partisan politics, personal attacks, and a high degree of incivility that poisons the public discourse and serves as a poor example to K-12 students. Social studies classes, while teaching about political differences and controversial issues, must be characterized by civility-a virtue that must be inculcated through education and practice. It is difficult for students to internalize this virtue if they do not see it in our politicians, the media, and other institutions. It is also essential that students learn to disagree about issues without using personal attacks, incendiary language, or making false claims about their adversaries. Civility is not simply good manners; it is a moral virtue rooted in the notion that all people are created equally and deserve respect. Thus, incivility is not compatible with the principles of American democracy. This article will examine why civility is critical to public discourse and offer suggestions for teaching and modeling civility in social studies classes.

Civic education stuck in a quagmire: A critical review of civic education in Hong Kong?

“…Being rude, harsh, and condescending are not making youth ready to be useful members in a democratic system (Boyd, 2006; Shils, 1992). Moore (2012) deplored that the decline of civility in public discourses and those among students and saw it as alarming. Accordingly, teacher should have an obligation to model such civility and nurture such virtue among their students.…”

Students’ perception of incivility behaviors and its frequency of occurrence inside school environment

“…Adolescents is a period when personality and neurological tendencies may predispose individuals towards engaging in behavior that lacks consideration for others (Ashton &Lee, 2016 andVolk, 2016). The rise of uncivil behaviors in educational settings may be a reflection of a much larger problem concerning the decline of courteous and polite behaviors and interactions between people in society (Moore, 2012). Adolescents may be a crucial time to address incivility before behaviors become more serious.…”

Designing Spaces for Creativity and Divergent Thinking: Pre-Service Teachers Creating Stop Motion Animation on Tablets

“…This indoctrination may be due to school environments that build a reticence for students as they are scared to say or do the "wrong thing" in class (Wagner, Johnson, Fair, & Fasko, 2016). In these environments, teachers and peer groups establish social norms by keeping in-check behaviors and individuals that are incorrect or inappropriate (Moore, 2012). These systems of compliance and convergence are reinforced by grading policies that penalize students for being wrong, or failing.…”