Improving Democracy Education. A Book Review of Education for Democracy: A Renewed Approach to Civic Inquiries for Social Justice

Authors

Andrew G. Benson, University of CincinnatiFollow
Daniel J. Foster, University of CincinnatiFollow
Robin L. McGinnis, University of CincinnatiFollow
Lillian Sims, University of CincinnatiFollow
Savannah Stark, University of CincinnatiFollow
Charity Winburn, University of CincinnatiFollow

Abstract

In their book Education for Democracy: A Renewed Approach to Civic Inquiries for Social Justice, authors Steven P. Camicia and Ryan Knowles (2021) offer a timely recipe for addressing the lack of civic competence in America, which is facing a great threat to democracy. Their student-centered model for democracy education in the classroom aims to bring a critical approach to teaching students in a manner that is authentic and that promotes multiculturalism. While we believe their contribution is well thought out, we contend the authors needed to explain more fully how the theoretical model connects to desired outcomes and also offer readers a clearer path to implementation. Likewise, we wanted to see a more explicit reference to philosopher and progressive educator John Dewey, whose writings nearly a century ago presaged the approach in this work. That being said, Education for Democracy ought to become an inspiration and a reference manual for those educators who care deeply about democracy education.

Recommended Citation

Benson, A. G. , Foster, D. J. , McGinnis, R. L. , Sims, L. , Stark, S. , Winburn, C. (2022). Improving Democracy Education. A Book Review of Education for Democracy: A Renewed Approach to Civic Inquiries for Social Justice. Democracy and Education, 30 (2), Article 10.
Available at: https://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol30/iss2/10