Civic Illiteracy and Education
This book presents a disturbing thesis: education - often through history textbooks - promotes civic illiteracy and turns civic responsibility into patriotic conformity. Youth are taught to support a dominant-elite view of international conflicts which undermines the critical abilities that are essential for citizens in a democracy. Expanding upon the social and educational insights of dissident theorists, the author challenges the view of civic literacy put forth by such educators as William Bennett and Diane Ravitch.
The Author: John Marciano is an Associate Professor at SUNY Cortland, where he teaches courses in the social and historical foundations of education. He received his B.A. in History from the University of Rochester and his Ed.D. in Higher Education from SUNY Buffalo. An activist, teacher, and scholar, he is co-author (with William L. Griffen) of Lessons of the Vietnam War.