The great American philosopher, John Dewey, grew up in Vermont in the late 19th century and attended the University of Vermont before making his mark on
American political thought. Mostly, Dewey is remembered for his contributions to the field of education. He believed that education is less about acquiring a
fixed body of knowledge and more about developing skills in critical thinking and applying those skills as active citizens. Consequently, the value of education
goes well beyond the individual benefits; an educated citizenry supports democratic norms and a more robust civic life. Dewey was a strong proponent of
democracy as the best means for meeting the needs of the public. In his book, The Public and Its Problems (1927), Dewey tried to reconcile civic engagement
in American democracy with the depersonalizing forces of industrialism and capitalism. While Dewey recognizes the importance of policy experts, he also
argues that popular participation in government is necessary to uncover the problems we collectively face because experts will be too removed from the
public to clearly see the problems people confront. “The man who wears the shoe knows best that it pinches and where it pinches, even if the expert
shoemaker is the best judge of how the trouble is to be remedied” (p. 207). So it is at Castleton that we take up the mantle that fellow Vermonter Dewey
passed along to educate our students to be active and effective citizens in our democratic government. While some students opt to pursue a Certificate
in Civic Engagement as they build the skills of citizenship, self-advocacy, and leadership, all students participate in the liberal arts foundation of a Castleton
education through our General Education Program. One of the explicit goals of general education at Castleton University is that the program, “promotes
students to be engaged as active citizens on campus and beyond.” Perhaps the most basic act of citizenship is participation in the electoral process by voting.
Whether you recently moved, changed your name
or became a citizen here is a good place to to make
sure you are #VoteReady? Whether you recently
moved, changed your name or became a citizen
here is a good place to to make sure you are #VoteReady?
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