(CZ) Občanská výchova v kontextu americké střední školy
(EN) The civics in the context of the American secondary school

Stať se zabývá společensko-historickými východisky, udanými společenskými výchovnými cíli, obsahem i pozžívanými metodami občanské výchovy v USA. Jsou uvedeny příklady občanské výchovy na středních školách. V závěru jsou diskutovány možnosti využití amerických zkušeností pro naši koncepci občanské výchovy.

The article deals with the civics in the U.S.A. and with possibilities of exploiting some american experiences in Czech civic education.
In the first part it is discussed how to establish a civic education without onesided implementation of ideology and values. The starting point here is the American concept of citizenship as practical activities in a constitutional democracy. The article then informs about a position of civics in the structure of High school subjects and educational aims. The orientation of civic to civic virtutes, civic participation and civic skills is emphasized.
The second part of the article deals with practical implementation of theoretical concepts of civics. The great stress is put to students own activity and independent work and to a broad social educational influence. Examples from civics lessons and civic acheavements tests results are added.
Finaly the possibility of using some American experience in our (from historical and social reasons rather different) system of a civic education is discussed. The author concludes that despite that a broad overtaking of the american system is not possible, many ideas and methods may be conceived and used. Above all, however, it can be learned from the U.S.A. about the importance of the civic education for the life of a democratic society.