Linking Theory and Practice on Politics Work Placement Modules

The renewed interest in the importance of active citizenship and
volunteering in higher education is reflective of concerns about democratic
participation, declining social capital and community cohesion (Power
Inquiry 2006; Sloam 2007). Citizenship education (particularly in
secondary schools) has been viewed by some as a panacea for declining
levels of political participation, social delinquency and the dilution of a
common civic identity (see Blunkett 2001: 41–2). The topicality of
embedding citizenship across universities and their course curricula is also
tied to a range of pedagogic and functional issues, most notably teaching
quality assurance, student personal development, community participation
and employability.