Understanding civic education in Hong Kong: A Bernsteinian approach

Understanding civic education in Hong Kong: A Bernsteinian approach

• Yan, Kin Cheung Adrian Institute of Education, University College London

Discourse, 42(4), 615-627, 2021

Taylor & Francis Ltd.

2021

• P Social Context of Education
  • PC Society & Education
• P Social Context of Education
  • PE Law & Education ; Politics & Education

Liberal Studies Civic Education Basil Bernstein Pedagogic Discourse Pedagogic Practice

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Secondary Education

This paper draws on Basil Bernstein’s theory of pedagogic discourse and practice to explain the controversy surrounding civic education in Hong Kong, through the case of a compulsory secondary school subject called Liberal Studies (LS). The distinct advantage of a Bernsteinian approach is that its conceptual grammar cogently captures the contentious nature of LS and locates the structural autonomy of teachers. This article highlights the fragmented nature of the LS curriculum, which attests to a historical legacy of the Hong Kong education system that favours a subject-based curriculum in practice and a managerialist approach to teacher staffing. These institutional parameters exert profound influences on LS teachers’ modalities of practice. This study contributes to the burgeoning interest in applying Bernsteinian scholarship to the East-Asian region by nuancing the role of teachers in mediating the contentious LS curriculum and implementing civic education. Finally, further application of the Bernsteinian approach will be discussed. Copyright © 2021 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

• English

Journal Articles

• 01596306

• 10.1080/01596306.2020.1722613

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/98c1a079

2022-05-12