The Good Society: A Journal of Civic Studies is pleased to announce a special call for manuscripts for an upcoming issue focused on the theme: “Dialogue, Deliberation, and Community in Civic Life.” This special issue aligns with the 2024 Annual Civic Learning Symposium’s theme, which centers on the crucial role that dialogue, deliberation, and community play in our education system and our democracy.

Guest Editors:

• Dr. David J. Roof, Ball State University
• Dr. Sarah Surak, Salisbury University

(I am not directly involved, but these two are friends, and I am on the journal’s editorial board.)

Theme Overview: In an era marked by increasing polarization and division, fostering open, constructive dialogue and thoughtful deliberation is more essential than ever. This issue seeks to explore the multifaceted dimensions of dialogue, deliberation, and community within the context of civic education. We invite contributions that build bridges across diverse perspectives, promote understanding, and cultivate a culture of civic agency. Potential topics for submission include, but are not limited to:

• Encouraging open and respectful dialogue among students, educators, and community members, regardless of ideological or cultural differences.
• The importance of deliberation in shaping informed and thoughtful decision-making processes. How institutions and communities foster deliberative skills among students, educators, and community members?
• The role of schools, educational institutions, and communities in preparing students and citizens to become active and engaged participants in democracy.
• Exploring strategies for enhancing democratic practices within schools and/or communities. How do student-led forums, community dialogues, and participatory decision-making contribute to the strengthening of democratic values and community cohesion?
• Highlighting successful initiatives and best practices for empowering individuals to become effective advocates for positive change in their communities. What role do educators, community organizers, and civic leaders play in promoting dialogue, deliberation, and community engagement?

About The Good Society: Civic studies is an interdisciplinary effort to understand and strengthen civic society, civic initiatives, civic capacity, civic learning, civic politics, and civic culture. Viewing citizenship as a distinctive civic ideal and set of practices involving creative agency and a commitment to civic-minded co-creation, civic studies is an emerging focus in many disciplines and fields of human endeavor. The Good Society draws from a wide array of academic disciplines, including political science, sociology, economics, communication, and adult education, focusing on:

• The development of civic society
• The role of the individual/citizen in society
• The significance of lifelong learning in promoting democracy
• The role of institutions in civic society development
• The ethical foundations of civic issues in democratic societies

The Good Society is dedicated to publishing outstanding research and theory from all disciplinary traditions, addressing pressing contemporary issues. In today’s globalized world, effective civic perspectives demand that we not only bridge ideological divides within our own countries but also engage meaningfully with perspectives from around the world. This global orientation expands our vision, challenges our assumptions, and fosters dialogue beyond our own echo chambers. The journal maintains high standards of scholarly excellence and rigorous peer-review. It is indexed in the European Reference Index for the Humanities and Social Sciences (ERIH PLUS), IBZ, MLA International Bibliography, and SCOPUS.

Submission Guidelines: We invite scholars, educators, and practitioners from all relevant disciplines to submit manuscripts that offer fresh perspectives and rigorous analysis on these themes. Submissions should align with The Good Society’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and fostering dialogue across ideological, cultural, and international divides.

Important Dates

• Call for Manuscripts: Open
• Submission Deadline for Abstracts: 10-October-2024
• Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 30-October-2024
• Full Manuscript Submission Deadline: 15-Janurary-2024
• Peer Review Decisions: 30-Feburary-2024
• Final Revised Manuscript Due: 15-March-2024
• Publication Date: April 2025

Submission Process: Please submit your abstracts and manuscripts through the submission portal at: https://www.editorialmanager.com/gs/default2.aspx. Or email directly to the editor at CECL@bsu.edu. Submissions will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process. Accepted manuscripts will be published in a special issue of The Good Society.