Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019
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Date of Graduation
Spring 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department
Department of Political Science
Advisor(s)
Liliokanaio Peaslee
Kathleen Ferraiolo
Abe Goldberg
Abstract
Despite existing as a democratic country, America has wavered in prioritizing civics education in schools. This thesis analyzes the work of MicroSociety® as one program that helps students ‘learn by doing’ in the enactment of a school-wide community simulation. To test the program outcomes, a reliable survey was administered to fourth and fifth grade students at two different MicroSociety schools. The results showed that MicroSociety students reported higher average levels of civic engagement when compared to a national sample. The positive results were also consistent across both MicroSociety samples despite stark differences in the demographic profiles of each school. This evidence suggests that MicroSociety is a working model for teaching civics that may translate to increased civic engagement later in life.
Recommended Citation
Hurt, Jewel, "The MicroSociety® model: An assessment of civic engagement outcomes amongst fourth and fifth grade students" (2019). Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019. 635.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019/635
Included in
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