Search results for: Parker Walter C.

The author argues that the practice of speaking and listening to strangers is crucial to democratic citizen formation. The author outlines a discursive approach to the cultivation of enlightened political engagement in schools. The author argues that schools are the best available sites for this project because they have the key assets: diverse schoolmates, problems, strangers, and curriculum and instruction. The author concludes that schools in societies with democratic ideals are obligated to cultivate enlightened and engaged citizens. Helping young people form the habits of listening to strangers, at that very public place called school, should advance this work.