Outside in: a critically compassionate approach to education for civic engagement
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a method for preparing teacher candidates to educate for civic engagement through a philosophy of critical compassion.
Design/methodology/approach
It begins with an examination of citizenship’s contextual relevancy and the importance of developing citizens who possess the adaptability to practice compassion in a variety of contexts. It provides a series of example art-based discussion activities founded on the principles of introspection and community. Such activities offer potential to foster a compassionate sense of personal self-worth with candidates through a sense of inner care.
Findings
Candidates develop a sense of self-appreciation sourced independently from patterns of social controls and promoting an empathy toward other people that they, in turn, can develop in their students.
Originality/value
These processes offer potential to empower candidates to view citizenship as a process of social engagement that respects the equitable contribution of all participants.
Keywords
Citation
Lucey, T., Agnello, M.F. and Laney, J.D. (2017), "Outside in: a critically compassionate approach to education for civic engagement", Social Studies Research and Practice, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 295-309. https://doi.org/10.1108/SSRP-08-2017-0041
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited