The Mediterranean has once again come into its own in global geo-politics, attracting international interest that goes well beyond the typical stereotypes propagated by the tourist industry. Popular movements clamouring for democracy, conflict zones that have a spill-over effect well beyond the region, efforts to engage with globalisation on its own terms—one and all play out in various sectors of society, education included.
Educational Scholarship across the Mediterranean: A Celebratory Retrospective brings together in one volume a selection of the best articles that have appeared in the Mediterranean Journal of Educational Studies, whose first issue was published in 1996. Each chapter highlights challenges faced by education systems across the region, seen from the perspective of leading scholars who draw on original empirical data, a broad spectrum of theoretical frameworks, and personal experience to reflect on education-related topics. Among these we find critical considerations of the role of the economy, demography, gender, social stratification, religion, politics, culture and language in shaping educational systems and practices.
Much has been achieved in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean over the past 25 years—and yet, a consideration of the continuities as much as of the ruptures is instructive, showing how education remains both a transformative and reproductive force in communities.
Preface: Back to the Future and the Politics of Hope List of Figures and Tables Notes on Contributors PART 1: Regional Focus 1 Socialisation, Learning and Basic Education in Koranic Schools Abdel-Jalil Akkari 2 Is There a Semiperipheral Type of Schooling? State, Social Movements and Education in Spain, 1970-1994 Xavier Bonal and Xavier Rambla 3 Toward an Innovative University in the South? Institutionalising Euro-Mediterranean Co-operation in Research, Technology and Higher Education Jorma Kuitunen 4 The Permanence of Distinctiveness: Performances and Changing Schooling Governance in the Southern European Welfare States Paolo Landri 5 Gramsci, the Southern Question and the Mediterranean Peter Mayo 6 Dis/Integrated Orders and the Politics of Recognition: Civil Upheavals, Militarism, and Educators' Lives and Work Andre Elias Mazawi 7 The North African Educational Challenge: From Colonisation to the Current Alleged Islamist Threat Pierre Vermeren PART 2: Country Focus 8 The Circulation of European Educational Theories and Practices: The Algerian Experience Mohamed Miliani 9 State, Society, and Higher Education in Cyprus: A Study in Conflict and Compromise Anthony A. Koyzis 10 Global Discourses and Educational Reform in Egypt: The Case of Active-Learning Pedagogies Mark B. Ginsburg and Nagwa M. Megahed 11 Values in Teaching and Teaching Values: A Review of Theory and Research, Including the Case of Greece Evangelia Frydaki 12 Peace Education in Israel: Encounter and Dialogue Dov Darom 13 The Birth of 'Citizenship and Constitution' in Italian Schools: A New Wall of Competences or Transition to Intercultural Education? Sandra Chistolini 14 Private and Privatised Higher Educational Institutions in Jordan Muhammad Raji Zughoul 15 The Implications of Lebanese Cultural Complexities for Education Linda Akl 16 The Maltese Bilingual Classroom: A Microcosm of Local Society Antoinette Camilleri Grima 17 Multiculturalism, Citizenship, and Education in Morocco Moha Ennaji 18 Conflict and Democracy Education in Palestine Maher Z. Hashweh 19 Navigating Religious Boundaries at School: From Legitimate to Specious Religious Questions Maria Esther Fernandez Mostaza, Gloria Garcia-Romeral and Clara Fons I Duocastella 20 Human Rights Education: A Comparison of Mother Tongue Textbooks in Turkey and France Canan Aslan and Yasemin Karaman-Kepenekci
Ronald G. Sultana is Professor of Education at the University of Malta, and Founding Director of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Educational Research. He has published widely on a range of educational topics, most having equity as a central concern. Michael A. Buhagiar is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at the University of Malta. His main interests include teacher education, action research, and problem-based learning, about which he has published several papers in peer reviewed journals.
