UW-Madison, partners develop democracy education course

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 -

UW-Madison graduate students enrolled this summer in the new Curriculum and Instruction course on democracy education can look forward to a series of talks, workshops and site visits. They will explore issues of democracy, citizenship, and democratic education, including deliberation, human and civil rights, and youth participation.

But they will need to allow a little extra time for the commute to class, “Transnational Perspectives on Democratic Education” (C&I 975), to be held July 1-8 at the University of London’s Institute of Education.

The course was developed as an extension of the international partnership formed by the education deans of the three sponsoring institutions — UW-Madison, University of London and University of Melbourne, Australia.

“We were looking for ways to help graduate students receive benefit from this collaboration among the three institutions, as well as the intellectual opportunities for faculty to work together,” says Diana Hess, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Distinguished faculty members from the three universities have combined forces to teach the course. In addition to Hess, participating faculty include Michael Apple and Gloria Ladson-Billings from UW-Madison, Johanna Wyn and Julie McLeod from Melbourne, and Michael Fielding, David Gillborn, Ann Phoenix, and Hugh Starkey from London.

The class — scheduled next year in Madison and the following year in Melbourne — also gives students opportunities to study with peers from the other institutions.

To enroll in the course, UW-Madison students must submit an application, which includes discussing their interest and experience in democratic, civic and international education. School of Education doctoral students receive the highest priority, but the enrollment is open to master’s degree and special students.

Scheduled course activities and workshops include a seminar hosted by the Parliamentary Education Service, visits to schools implementing human rights and citizenship education, whole school human rights education with UNICEF UK and Amnesty International, and using multicultural resources of the Museum of London.

Field trips include visits to places in London associated with democracy and observation of citizenship classes.

UW-Madison students enrolled also must attend class sessions in Madison prior to and after the London sessions, and complete a final project.

Meanwhile, faculty members are leading an effort to raise funds to help offset the travel costs for graduate students who participate in the course, says Hess.

To learn more about the course, contact Hess at dhess@education.wisc.edu.

-- by Kerry G. Hill

Comments or Problems: webmanager@education.wisc.edu.
Site designed/maintained by External Relations Office

© Copyright 2006 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System