Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

6-2010

Abstract

In the past, philosophers discussed cosmopolitanism as a normative ideal of allegiance to humanity as a whole. A debate among social theorists, however, has examined cosmopolitanism as an incipient empirical phenomenon: an orientation of openness to foreign others and cultures. This paper introduces actor-network theory to elaborate the social-theoretical conception of cosmopolitanism. In light of the actor-network theory of cosmopolitanism, the paper proposes cosmopolitan education that aims to foster in students three dispositions: to extend attachments to foreign people and objects; to understand transnational connections in which their lives are embedded; and to act on these attachments and understandings to effect transformations across national borders. Through this three-fold cosmopolitan education, students will grow to be citizens of the world who traverse national borders dialogically by virtue of their transnational attachments, understandings, and actions.

Keywords

Actor-network theory, Citizenship education, Cosmopolitanism, Globalization, International education, Japanese schools

Discipline

Asian Studies | Education | Sociology

Research Areas

Sociology

Publication

Journal of Curriculum Studies

Volume

42

Issue

3

First Page

333

Last Page

351

ISSN

0022-0272

Identifier

10.1080/00220270903494261

Publisher

Taylor & Francis (Routledge): SSH Titles

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/00220270903494261

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