CSPE Links

CSPE stands for Civic, Social and Political Education. It aims to prepare students to become active citizens who can participate in society in a meaningful way. The basic human rights of a citizen are explored in this course. However, all rights carry responsibilities to other people and the environment in which we live. Students are made aware of these responsibilities.

CSPE is concerned with issues at a personal level (how am I affected as an individual), at local level (how is my community affected), at national level (my country) and at a global level (the world in which we live).

Student Xpress carries a four page supplement in its newspaper every month that brings you through a particular issue in the world.

	East Timor 1999 was the first free and bright Christmas after more than 450 years of darkness under Portuguese colonisation and 24 years under illegal occupation by Indonesia. This is a wonderful story telling of an oppressed people's struggle for independence. An Irish bus driver, Tom Hyland, played an enormous role in this conflict.
	Cuba Fidel Castro and Che Guevara took part in a revolution which toppled the Batista government. Relations with the USA soured giving rise to an embargo prohibiting trade with Cuba. An incident called the Cuban Missile Crisis ensued which brought the world to the brink of a nuclear war. The plight of Elian Gonzalez, a six year-old Cuban boy, brought the whole situation back to the attention of the world media.
	Global Warming We are in danger of using up very valuable resources that have built up over millions of years and leaving nothing for future generations. Some of the most important environmental issues of today are those associated with a changing climate. Estimates, based on measured temperatures worldwide, indicate that global average temperature has risen by 0.5 degrees Celcius in the last one hundred years. One of the strongest indicators of global warming is the breaking off of huge icebergs from the polar caps.
	Africa I In the first set of articles on Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe are featured. Ethiopia has been at war with neighbours Eritrea. Recently a peace agreement has been brokered bringing an uneasy peace. Both countries are suffering from the ravages of famine. Zimbabwe is in the midst of a land war where many white-owned farms are being seized. A recent election has seen the opposition movement making great inroads to Mugabe's hold on power.
	Argentina Argentina, the second-largest country in South America, is over 2,000 miles in length, and about one-third the size of the U.S. It is a country which has had a colourful political past ranging from dictatorships to popular uprising. The greatest political icon of all was Evita, wife of Juan Peron. Peronists have been in power in Argentina on many occasions. Football is a national passion with Diego Maradona its greatest hero.
	The Courts The Court System and our Constitution, Bunreacht na hEireann, is examined. A recent case history is chosen to illustrate the workings of the courts and constitution. The case chosen is called the O'Flaherty affair. It started off with a tragic car accident and ended up with the resignation of two judges.
	The American Presidency Election 2000 for the American Presidency was between George W. Bush (Republican) and Al Gore (Democrat). However, due to some amazing complications, it took a long, long time for the winner to be announced. Read the story of Election 2000.
	The ASTI Strike The teachers strike caused a huge amount of anguish amongst all elements of the school community: pupils, parents and teachers. Student Xpress is an idea developed by a number of secondary school teachers who wished to develop a medium for young people to express their views on a wide range of subjects. These teachers express their point of view about the teachers dispute.
	Attack on America It is said that everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news that John F. Kennedy, the President of the United States, was assassinated in November 1963. A similar catastrophic event took place in America on the 11 September 2001.

The association representing CSPE teachers have a very useful website which includes ideas for action projects. Some of the action projects include:

Animal Welfare in North Tipperary by Donna Ryan
The Student Council by Brendan O'Regan
Anti-Litter Awareness in Newbridge by Stephanie Conlan
A Community Project in Carnew by Linda Dunne
Mapping Our Community in Bunclody by Mary McIvor
Videoconferencing in Waterford by Bill Doherty
Recycling Waste in Castlecomer by Michael Stokes
An Interesting Visitor by Michael Domoney
Killinarden Park Project by Linda Neary
Going Bananas in Wexford by Mary Waddell

Go to CSPE teachers website