Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE)

This 100 hour short course is built around three strands, rights and responsibilities, global citizenship and exploring democracy. There is a strong focus on student action aimed at giving students an experience of active citizenship.

 

CSPE is an important part of a wellbeing programme within junior cycle as it enables students to feel connected to and take responsibility for the wellbeing of others. It also develops students’ confidence, agency and engagement which are important characteristics of student wellbeing. It is not taught as an examined subject within the Junior Cycle Programme in SAC.

 

Strand 1 (1st year) Rights and Responsibilities

Strand 2 (2nd year) Global Citizenship

Strand 3 (3rd year) Exploring Democracy

While the ‘Make A Difference’ (Folens) textbook is employed to provide guidance to students, much of the course is project based, so that active engagement, collaboration, research and action form the basis of the subject.

 

Project work by year

1st year: Human Rights Postcards and an Anti-Bullying Campaign (Strand 1)

2nd year: Human Development Index and Climate Change research projects (Strand 2)

3rd year: Mock Elections (Strand 3)