Contrasting Perspectives on Democracy?

Abstract

This study examines conceptions of democracy held by undergraduate college students majoring in elementary education, history, and political science. The study extends a study by Ross and Yeager (1999) that examined preservice elementary teacher education students' conceptions of democracy. Ross and Yeager (1999) found students expressed a procedural, process-oriented view of democracy that emphasized key political features of democratic governance. This study examines whether these views of democracy were unique to education students or whether they were reflected in other majors as well. The perspectives of Dewey (1916, 1927), Barber (1992, 1998), Parker (1996), and Goodman (1992) provide the analytical framework for the study. Interviews with eighteen undergraduate students revealed procedural, process- oriented views of democracy and citizenship and interesting perspectives on diversity and equity across majors. Implications for teacher education are discussed

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