| CODE | EDV5012 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Becoming a Responsible Citizen | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| EQF/MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Education Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit aims to give teachers in the subject the necessary knowledge required to teach active democratic citizenship through PSCD. This requires an adequate understanding of the political nature of democracy, both as a system of government, as a democratic state with its institutions, and, as a way of life. The study-unit explores both these political dimensions of the word beginning with the origins of democracy and its history and then focusing on contemporary practices of democracy in the Western world. The nature of the institutions that guarantee liberal freedoms (of expression (free press and media), of association (free parties, trade unions, pressure groups, movements etc.), and lifestyle freedoms will be explored and debated within the Maltese context. The practical aspects of teaching for active democratic citizenship and an active participation in public life, will be discussed in relation to the teaching of PSCD; namely through deliberative and agonistic conversations, recognition of sexual , gender, socio-cultural and religious differences. These are informed by the political and ethical notion that active democratic citizenship requires immersion in a democratic class and school environment. Study-Unit Aims: - Explains the development of the practices of democracy in the Western world; - Introduces students to the concepts underlying representative and pluralistic democracies; - Promotes inclusive participation by ensuring that diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives are welcomed and valued; - Evaluates the opportunities for children in schools, to express contested or minority viewpoints in the presence of disagreement. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the meaning of being an active citizen of a pluralistic society; - Distinguish between the use of deliberative and agonistic debates in the PSCD class; - Explain the educational function of pluralism in the class, school and beyond; - Recognise the implications of ‘assistentialism’, which does not promote autonomy, critical awareness or structural change, and can thus impinge on democratic participation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Critically reflect on and engage with philosophical and sociological aspects of democratic participation of citizens; - Develop ideas on how PSCD teachers encourage active participation of their students at school and in the public realm; - Create a democratic pluralistic environment in the PSCD class; - Design PSCD activities that encourage active participation of students in school and beyond. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: View reading list |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Louise Chircop Simone Galea (Co-ord.) Michael Grech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2026/7. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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