Essential Connotation of American Civic Education

Civic education in America means education in autonomous government in a democratic so-ciety. It aims at nurturing an informed, effective, and responsible citizenry. The Americans identify three es-sential components for democratic civic education: civic knowledge, civic skills, and civic dispositions. As the origin of theoretical research of modern civic education, American civic education has exercised a wide and deep influence not only at home but in many other countries abroad as well. A precise comprehension of the essential concepts and connotation of the American civic education will undoubtedly significant in providing some reference to the construction of the socialist civic education in our country.