WORLDVIEW FORMATION and CIVIC EDUCATION

As global interaction increases so does the need for a personal worldview which fosters responsible national and global citizenship. In the US, public school curriculum is expected to include civic education. This study unpacks worldview construction and civic education and identifies childhood as the critical time for initiating worldview formation. Drawing from International Relations, Anthropology, and Education, social studies textbooks are contextualized and evaluated.Utilizing International Relations concepts to bridge traditional and contemporary notions of civic education, one publisher's elementary social studies textbook series is analyzed with an innovativecontent analysis model. Teacher surveys about textbook usage are examined. Key concepts are defined to be compatible with contemporary worldview formation. A broad range of material is synthesized to offer compelling insights into why and how civic education practices change.This study is informative for those who want to understand civic education issues, are striving to reform elementary education practices, and are interested in the development of responsible national and global citizens.