Philosophy for Children: A Deliberative Pedagogy for Teaching Social Studies in Japan and the USA

Abstract

Two international social studies teacher educators and researchers (from Japan and the USA) use qualitative methods to systematically examine the impact of the philosophy for children Hawai‘i (p4cHI) approach to deliberative pedagogy on social studies teaching and learning in two countries. The study’s participants are two secondary level social studies teachers (from Japan and the USA) and their students. Data comes from class sessions that were video recorded in each country and transcribed. Collaborative analysis of the data produced three major themes: inquiry stance, inquiry topics, and the nature of the inquiry. At the study’s conclusion, the researchers share what they learned about implementing the p4cHI approach to deliberative pedagogy in two countries and how it can be used to prepare Japanese and American students for global citizenship in the 21st century.