Comparative Study of the Development of Citizenship in the U.S and Germany
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Description

This project explores how the concept of citizenship is developed within Waldorf schools in two distinct cultural contexts: the United States and Germany. Rooted in the foundational principles of Waldorf education which emphasize global citizenship and responsiveness to the challenges of contemporary society, this study investigates how educational environments shape students’ understanding of citizenship in both theory and practice. The research was conducted at Aurora Waldorf School in West Falls, NY, and Rudolf Steiner Schule Nürtingen in Nürtingen, Germany. Using IRB-approved observation and interview protocols, I observed classroom instruction and conducted follow-up interviews to gather deeper insights into both explicit and implicit approaches to teaching citizenship. Observations focused on classroom materials, instructional practices, and the general environment. Interviews addressed how teachers define, teach, and assess citizenship within their curricula. This comparative study is significant in its potential to reveal how different cultural and educational frameworks influence the cultivation of democratic values, social responsibility, and global awareness among students. The findings may offer practical implications for educators seeking to strengthen citizenship education across diverse school models.

Publication Date

2025

Comparative Study of the Development of Citizenship in the U.S and Germany

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