Community Civics and Rural Life

"Community Civics and Rural Life" by Arthur William Dunn is a community civics textbook aimed at educating young citizens about their roles in rural life, likely written during the early 20th century. It discusses the interdependence of urban and rural communities, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and civic engagement for effective governance and community development. The book aims to equip students with an understanding of citizenship, civic responsibilities, and the significance of contributing to their communities. The opening of the text serves as an introduction to the principles of community civics, stressing the need for educational materials tailored to rural students. It argues that citizenship education should reflect the realities of rural life while also incorporating lessons on the interconnectedness of urban and rural experiences. Dunn articulates the vital characteristics of community civics, outlining how civic education must connect to students' lived experiences and foster team spirit in pursuing common goals. Through various chapters, the book directs attention to the importance of recognizing shared community interests and cultivating habits that enable effective participation in civic life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Arthur William Dunn was an American educator, born at Galesburg, Illinois, and educated at Knox College and the University of Chicago. He began his career as instructor in English and lecturer in sociology at the University of Cincinnati (1896–98). He was also extension lecturer from 1896 to 1900, and from the latter year until 1910 headed the department of history and civics in the Shortridge High School, Indianapolis. From 1906 to 1910 he was director of civic education in the public schools of the same city; in 1910-11, he was civic secretary of the City Club of Philadelphia; in 1911-14, he served as executive secretary of the Public Education Association, New York City; and from 1914 to 1921, he held the office of specialist in civic education in the United States Bureau of Education. In 1920 he was appointed special adviser to the United States Navy in the civic education of men on shipboard, becoming, in the following year, associate national director of the Junior Red Cross, and being advanced to the position of national director in 1921. He was the author of:The Community and the Citizen (1907) The Teaching of Community Civics Social Studies in Secondary Education (1916) Citizenship in School and Out Community Civics and Rural Life (1920) Community Civics for City Schools (1921)