Students' Constructions of Citizenship in the United States: A Study of 11th-Grade Students
Akala, Winston Jumba
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/79795
Description
Title
Students' Constructions of Citizenship in the United States: A Study of 11th-Grade Students
Author(s)
Akala, Winston Jumba
Issue Date
2004
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Noffke, Susan E.
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Secondary
Language
eng
Abstract
Data were collected in Fall 2003 using interview, observation, and focused group discussion methods. Data analysis involved processing, condensing, presenting, and making sense of findings (isolation, discussion, and critical analysis of emerging themes). Results show that participants understood the concept of citizenship in concrete terms; they did not differentiate between citizenship on one hand and the responsibilities of citizens on the other; and that the participants knew about and interacted with nationals of other countries mostly through the mass media although they did not understand the essence of multiple citizenship. I concluded that the social studies curriculum helped the students to acquire knowledge about the practical responsibilities of citizens but did little to enhance understanding how these practices relate to the theory of social studies; the participants demonstrated that they had the capacity to participate in deciding and planning the learning experiences of their choice but were never given a chance to do so; and the participants embraced a reasonable level of knowledge about people and activities taking place in other countries. Finally, I suggested that in order to enhance citizenship education, there is need to for teachers, parents, and the education policy makers to work with students---the consumers of education---in developing the desired learning experiences in presently cosmopolitan space.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
