The experience of citizenship

In this article I explore the relationship between experiential learning and citizenship education. I
argue that a meaningful citizenship education must involve a sophisticated understanding and
application of the principles of experiential learning. In so doing, I draw on the evaluation of a Level
Three social science module ‘Teaching Citizenship’ delivered at BCUC. This module involved
undergraduate students going into secondary schools and contributing to the delivery of the
citizenship curriculum. I propose that the successes of the module did not only stem from providing
students with a unique experience outside of the seminar room, but also from the incorporation of
these ‘events’ into a rounded learning experience.