International Perspectives on Drama and Citizenship Education by McGuinn, Nicholas; Ikeno, Norio; Davies, Ian;

Short description:

This book brings together respected international academics and practitioners from citizenship and drama to debate, share their experiences and plan a way forward for academic and professional best practice in drama and citizenship education for a democratic society.

Long description:

WINNER of the Children’s Identity and Citizenship European Association’s (CiCea) award for Best Book 2021, this book brings together respected international academics and practitioners from citizenship and drama to debate, share their experiences and plan a way forward for academic and professional best practice in drama and citizenship education for a democratic society.

Drawing on international contributions, the chapters explore fundamental ideas about theatre and drama from a global perspective with connections made to action and identity. The main section of the book showcases authors from around the world discussing their perspectives of what is happening within particular countries and exploring a range of ideas and issues that relate to vitally important matters including community, socialism, post-colonialism, diversity, inclusion and more. The final section of the book brings together teams of authors from citizenship and drama education, who discuss the essential elements of citizenship education and encourage insight and practical collaboration from drama experts.

The book is unique in presenting dynamic interaction between citizenship and drama experts and encouraging academics and professionals to develop their own work in these areas. It will be of great interest to academics, researchers and students in the fields of citizenship education, drama education and all those interested in promoting social justice through education.

"This book is a gem. Since ancient times citizenship and drama have been intricately linked with the latter acting as vehicle for communicating civic ideas and fostering the formation of well informed, skillful, and empathetic citizens. In theoretically and pedagogically rich ways, the chapters in this collection explore a wide range of deep connections between drama and civic life across an impressive array of national and cultural contexts. It is a remarkable addition to the literature for academics and practitioners in both fields and beyond."

Professor Alan Sears, Faculty of Education, University of New Brunswick

"By including prominent and experienced authors around the world, this book is unique and distinct when compared to other education texts. It offers an engaging new learning approach for faculty, researchers, and students in exploring the nexus between drama and citizenship education. It encompasses valuable experiences of academics, researchers, and practitioners from different parts of the world, which serves as an informational and a motivational source for the audiences to suit their own needs. The content of this book develops systematically in a scholarly yet informative way, which encourages and inspires readers to be reflective on ideas, issues and actions related to theatre, drama, musical, identity, and citizenship. This approach certainly provides fruitful ideas and directions for any readers to develop their understanding and practices about drama and citizenship education. It is a must read as an educators’ guide on drama and citizenship education."

Dr. Eric Kng-man Chong, School of Education and Languages, Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Table of Contents:

Introduction  Part 1: Perspectives and principles  1. Theatre and citizenship education: global perspectives and points of contact  2. Drama and active citizenship  3. Young people, musical theatre and identity  Part II: Country case studies  4. China – drama and citizenship in China: a practitioner’s story  5. Russia—social theatre  6. Colombia – making other people’s memories your own: theatre practices and citizenship  7. England – searching for social justice education in a challenging context  8. Japan – at the forefront of change  9. New Zealand – broken treaties, broken vows: unearthing the bones in citizenship education  10. South Africa – struggling on  11. Pakistan – oppositional voices and strategies of critique  12. USA – challenging compliance: activating citizens for change  Part III: Ideas, issues and actions  13. Ways into drama: preparing for engagement  14. Voices: drama and the development of speaking and acting in public spaces  15. Youth political literacy and drama pedagogy  16. Against the odds: community citizenship education and drama in South Africa  17. Drama and social and moral responsibility  18. Identity, drama and citizenship education  19. Professional development  20. Conclusions and recommendations