Civics

Research in civics has a strong focus on subject didactics and clear professional relevance aimed at teachers in primary and secondary schools. This means that the theoretical subject content is problematised, dealt with and tested in relation to subject-didactic tools and working methods.

The subject specialisation of civics involves generating knowledge of a subject-theoretical and a professional/subject-didactic nature. This is a challenge in view of the historical nature of civics as a block subject in Swedish schools (i.e. preferably with subject matter from both sociology and political science).

One way to meet the aim of representing in-depth subject-theoretical as well as subject-didactic knowledge has been to establish civics as a subject in its own right at Mid Sweden University. There are civics courses at first and second cycle, thereby including both breadth and depth. Establishing civics as a subject in its own right has also enabled a strong focus on subject didactics.

Research in civics can be categorised using a common typologisation in Swedish social-didactic research. This divides the subject of civics into four main categories or conceptions:

• factual and conceptual subject conception
• value-oriented subject conception
• subject conception based on civic analytical reasoning
• civic skills-oriented subject conception.

All four conceptions can be found in the ongoing research in the subject.

Research and education in the subject of civics take place at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Education.