Civic education is a social studies discipline that addresses the teaching of government, development of the citizen, and political and civic participation, but its themes resonate through the entirety of schools. Most school mission statements claim to develop good citizens. Perspectives from curriculum studies impact the responses to the fundamental questions that define this good citizen—what kind of citizen and a citizen of what—and organize this entry.

Civic education weaves its way into schools and arises as a unique subject because it is historically and politically accepted that the future of the nation rests upon an educated citizenry. A nation is not a clearly defined entity. Although lines exist on maps, the real meaning resides in the imagination of its citizens. Their shared imaginary defines the ...