Teaching about religions and education in citizenship in France. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saint-Martin, Isabelle
• Other Names: Sundström Mikael guest-editor.; Fernández Christian guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Education, citizenship and social justice. Volume 8:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Citizenship education -- French school system -- religious pluralism in schools -- secularity -- teaching about religions; Citizenship -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Social justice -- Periodicals; 303.372
• DOI: 10.1177/1746197913483674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-1979

Abstract

In the French school system, citizenship is treated in a civics course titled 'Education in civics, laws and society'. However, it would be restrictive to narrow this topic to civics lessons, as the question resurfaces implicitly in other subjects. For instance, emphasis was placed in recent years on teaching about religions within existing disciplines. Various justifications for this have been advanced since the 1990s: cultural development, understanding the contemporary world, and finally, the need for community cohesion in view of growing religious diversity in France. The study of religions based on a secular and scientific approach is often assumed to provide a better understanding of diversity and to reinforce the teaching of tolerance and mutual respect. By intersecting these different aspects with the topic treated in civics, 'Pluralism of beliefs and cultures in a secular Republic', we examine how cultural diversity plays a role in citizenship education in France.