Civic Social Political Education
Subject Information
Civic, Social and Political Education studied at Junior Cycle aims to prepare students for active participatory citizenship. This is achieved through comprehensive exploration of the civic, social and political dimensions of their lives at a time when pupils are developing from dependent children into independent young adults.
It develops the knowledge to explore, analyse and evaluate, the practise of moral and critical appraisal, and making decisions and judgements through a reflective citizenship, based on human rights and social responsibilities.
It prepares for living in a world where traditional structures and values are being challenged, and where pupils are being confronted with conflicting interests, impermanent structures and constant questioning.
Civic, Social and Political Education is important for each individual. It enables pupils to use their minds well in a changing, complex society. It helps them to understand the rights and responsibilities of the individual in society, and the workings and nature of democracy. Attention to the concepts, attitudes and values central to citizenship develops the moral and critical faculties of the pupil. Civic, Social and Political Education seeks to be affective and to equip pupils with the skills and understanding of processes which enable them to see, decide, judge and act.
Its employment of active and co-operatively structured learning methodologies enables and empowers the pupil to become an active and participative young person.
The general aims and principles of Civic, Social and Political Education concord wholly with those of the Junior Cycle programme.
The aim is to develop the pupils' personal and social confidence, contribute to their moral development, and prepare them for the responsibilities of citizenship, are central concerns of Civic, Social and Political Education.