Informed Societies

Informed Societies

Author: Stéphane Goldstein

Publisher: Facet Publishing

Published: 2020-01-07

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 1783304227

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book explains how and why information literacy can help to foster critical thinking and discerning attitudes, enabling citizens to play an informed role in society and its democratic processes. In early 21st century societies, individuals and organisations are deluged with information, particularly online information. Much of this is useful, valuable or enriching. But a lot of it is of dubious quality and provenance, if not downright dangerous. Misinformation forms part of the mix. The ability to get the most out of the information flow, finding, interpreting and using it, and particularly developing a critical mindset towards it, requires skills, know-how, judgement and confidence – such is the premise of information literacy. This is true for many aspects of human endeavour, including education, work, health and self-enrichment. It is notably true also for acquiring an understanding of the wider world, for reaching informed views, for recognising bias and misinformation, and thereby for playing a part as active citizens, in democratic life and society. This ground-breaking and uniquely multi-disciplinary book explores how information literacy can contribute to fostering attitudes, habits and practices that underpin an informed citizenry. The 13 chapters each come from a particular perspective and are authored by international experts representing a range of disciplines: information literacy itself, but also political science, pedagogy, information science, psychology. Informed Societies: Why Information literacy matters for citizenship, participation and democracy covers: - why information literacy and informed citizens matter for healthy, democratic societies - information literacy’s relationship with political science - information literacy’s relationship with human rights - how information literacy can help foster citizenship, participation, empowerment and civic engagement in different contexts: school students, refugees, older people and in wider society - information literacy as a means to counter misinformation and fake news - the challenges of addressing information literacy as part of national public policy. The book will be essential reading for librarians and information professionals working in public libraries, schools, higher education institutions and public bodies; knowledge and information managers in all sectors and student of library and information science students, especially those at postgraduate/Masters level who are planning dissertations. Because of the topicality and political urgency of the issues covered, the book will also be of interest to students of political science, psychology, education and media studies/journalism; policy-makers in the public, commercial and not-for-profit sectors and politicians implications of information use and information/digital literacy.


The Good Citizen

The Good Citizen

Author: Michael Schudson

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 404

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Today, political participation takes place in schools, at home, at work, and in the courts. We have made "informed citizenship" an overwhelming task. Schudson argues that it is time for a new model, in which we stop expecting everyone to do everything. The new citizenship must rest on citizens who are monitors of political danger rather than walking encyclopedias of governmental news. This tour of the past makes it possible to imagine a very different - and much more satisfying - future.


Learn about the United States

Learn about the United States

Author: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Publisher: Government Printing Office

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13: 9780160831188

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Learn About the United States" is intended to help permanent residents gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government as they prepare to become citizens. The product presents 96 short lessons, based on the sample questions from which the civics portion of the naturalization test is drawn. An audio CD that allows students to listen to the questions, answers, and civics lessons read aloud is also included. For immigrants preparing to naturalize, the chance to learn more about the history and government of the United States will make their journey toward citizenship a more meaningful one.


Biology for the Informed Citizen

Biology for the Informed Citizen

Author: Donna M. Bozzone

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780195381986

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Biology for the Informed Citizen helps student connect the concepts of biology to the consequences of biology. This text aims to teach the concepts of biology, evolution, and the process of science so students can apply this knowledge in their everyday lives as informed consumers and users ofscientific informationThis version of the text does not feature Physiology. For more information about Biology for the Informed Citizen with Physiology, please search for ISBN 9780195381993.


What Americans Know about Politics and why it Matters

What Americans Know about Politics and why it Matters

Author: Michael X. Delli Carpini

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 1996-01-01

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 9780300072754

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The authors explore how Americans' levels of political knowledge have changed over the past 50 years, how such knowledge is distributed among different groups, and how it is used in political decision-making. Drawing on extensive survey data, they present compelling evidence for benefits of a politically informed citizenry--and the cost of one that is poorly and inequitably informed. 62 illustrations.


Natural Resources and the Informed Citizen

Natural Resources and the Informed Citizen

Author: Steve Dennis

Publisher: Sagamore Publishing

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 9781571676344

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This is a complete guide to citizen involvement in the preservation and appreciation of natural resources. The purpose of the book is to introduce some of the processes through which people make decisions about using natural resources. Its aim is to start a foundation from which readers can further pursue their own interests in resources management and the environment, and become involved as informed citizens.


What Can a Citizen Do?

What Can a Citizen Do?

Author: Dave Eggers

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Published: 2018-09-11

Total Pages: 53

ISBN-13: 1452176337

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Obligatory reading for future informed citizens." —The New York Times "[This] charming book provides examples and sends the message that citizens aren't born but are made by actions taken to help others and the world they live in." –The Washington Post Empowering and timeless, What Can a Citizen Do? is the latest collaboration from the acclaimed duo behind the bestselling Her Right Foot: Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris. This is a book for today's youngest readers about what it means to be a citizen. This is a book about what citizenship—good citizenship—means to you, and to us all.


The Science of Citizen Science

The Science of Citizen Science

Author: Katrin Vohland

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 520

ISBN-13: 3030582787

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This open access book discusses how the involvement of citizens into scientific endeavors is expected to contribute to solve the big challenges of our time, such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity, growing inequalities within and between societies, and the sustainability turn. The field of citizen science has been growing in recent decades. Many different stakeholders from scientists to citizens and from policy makers to environmental organisations have been involved in its practice. In addition, many scientists also study citizen science as a research approach and as a way for science and society to interact and collaborate. This book provides a representation of the practices as well as scientific and societal outcomes in different disciplines. It reflects the contribution of citizen science to societal development, education, or innovation and provides and overview of the field of actors as well as on tools and guidelines. It serves as an introduction for anyone who wants to get involved in and learn more about the science of citizen science.


Uninformed

Uninformed

Author: Arthur Lupia

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 361

ISBN-13: 0190263725

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Research polls, media interviews, and everyday conversations reveal an unsettling truth: citizens, while well-meaning and even passionate about current affairs, appear to know very little about politics. Hundreds of surveys document vast numbers of citizens answering even basic questions about government incorrectly. Given this unfortunate state of affairs, it is not surprising that more knowledgeable people often deride the public for its ignorance. Some experts even think that less informed citizens should stay out of politics altogether. As Arthur Lupia shows in Uninformed, this is not constructive. At root, critics of public ignorance fundamentally misunderstand the problem. Many experts believe that simply providing people with more facts will make them more competent voters. However, these experts fail to understand how most people learn, and hence don't really know what types of information are even relevant to voters. Feeding them information they don't find relevant does not address the problem. In other words, before educating the public, we need to educate the educators. Lupia offers not just a critique, though; he also has solutions. Drawing from a variety of areas of research on topics like attention span and political psychology, he shows how we can actually increase issue competence among voters in areas ranging from gun regulation to climate change. To attack the problem, he develops an arsenal of techniques to effectively convey to people information they actually care about. Citizens sometimes lack the knowledge that they need to make competent political choices, and it is undeniable that greater knowledge can improve decision making. But we need to understand that voters either don't care about or pay attention to much of the information that experts think is important. Uninformed provides the keys to improving political knowledge and civic competence: understanding what information is important to and knowing how to best convey it to them.