For several years now, the concepts of 'civil culture' and 'civil society' have been widely discussed in the social sciences. Theoretically innovative and empirically rich, this volume is one of few studies that offer solid and focused ethnographic research on how the tenets and assumptions of civil culture are inculcated in schools. The authors examined school curricula, texts and pedagogical practices, observed daily interaction within the schools and outside, and conducted numerous interviews and discussion groups. The experience of students from Turkish backgrounds in the four countries was given special attention, thus offering valuable insights into the changing dynamics of nation-state civil cultures in multicultural societies.

Werner Schiffaueris Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the European University, Viadrina, Frankfurt, Germany.

Preface

Introduction: Nation-state, Schools and Civil Enculturation
Gerd Baumann

PART I: FOUR CIVIL CULTURES AT SCHOOL

Chapter 1. The School as a Place in its Social Space
Gerd Baumann andThijl Sunier

Chapter 2. Representing the Nation in History Textbooks
Werner Schiffauer andThijl Sunier

Chapter 3. Taxonomies of Cultural Difference: Constructions of Otherness
Sabine Mannitz andWerner Schiffauer

Chapter 4. The Place of Religion in Four Civil Cultures
Sabine Mannitz

Chapter 5. Muslim Headscarves in Four Nation-states and Schools
Beate Collet

PART II: CIVIL ENCULTURATION AND DISCURSIVE ASSIMILATION

Chapter 6. National Language and Mother Tongue
Thijl Sunier

Chapter 7. Regimes of Discipline and Civil Conduct in Berlin and Paris
Sabine Mannitz

Chapter 8. Argumentative Strategies
Thijl Sunier

Chapter 9. Pupils Negotiations of Cultural Difference: Identity Management and Discursive Assimilation
Sabine Mannitz

Epilogue: Limitations, Convergence and Cross-overs
Sabine Mannitz

Notes on Contributors
Bibliography
Index