When I was at secondary school many moons ago, we had subject called 'Current Affairs'.

Current Affairs is a very special subject where we look at a variety of up-to-the-minute issues, whether they are happy or sad, good or bad, The children are invited to express their views and they also learn to listen to the views of others. Participation and opinions are encouraged and plenty of lively discussion follows. It is interesting to see how much the children's self-confidence grows as a result of having to express their own views, and justify them, in front of their peers.

http://www.hanford.dorset.sch.uk/academic/current-affairs

Students in years 7 8 and 9 have Current Affairs lessons each week, ensuring all are kept up to date with world events. Lively discussions and sensitive contributions are forthcoming from all participants.
Current affairs is a subject which sits very well in an international curriculum. The main aim of the course is to raise awareness to the events which go on in the world today.

http://cambridgeinternationalschool.co.uk/seniors/current-af...

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This article presents suggestions teachers should consider in teaching current affairs to high school students in the U.S. The importance of the issue should be determined. Not all current issues are of equal importance. Issues or problems that persist can be related more clearly to the going curriculum. Readiness is a function of previous experience, motivation and interest. Methods of instruction should be adapted to make the best use of current issues. Various forms of discussion, role playing and audio-visual presentations add reality to teaching. The method employed gives emotional reinforcement to the learning desired. Utilizing historic decisions of the Supreme Court may add dimension to the pupils' understanding and appreciation may be gained if the teacher calls attention to current problems of American life that involve the rights and duties of citizens.

http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/19015910/when-tea...

In the US, it seems to be called 'Current Events'

http://www.csun.edu/~hcedu013/cevents.html

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Imagino que cada instituto imparte la asignatura de manera diferente. En mi colegio hablábamos de cualquier tema de actualidad, relacionado con el colegio, o no. El profesor actuaba como el moderador.

En Catalunya, 'Educación Ciudadana' trata de temas relacionadas con la sociedad.

http://espaciocurricularabierto.blogspot.co.uk/

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Los objetivos del E.C.A. atenderán al desarrollo personal e integral del estudiante y al de las capacidades para el ejercicio de la ciudadanía democrática y participativa. Ello significa que las actividades llevadas a cabo en este espacio deben promover el aprendizaje de la tolerancia, la solidaridad, el respeta, la responsabilidad y compromiso, la capacidad de escucha y de organización, la convivencia armónica y en paz para una adecuada interacción social

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www.nfer.ac.uk/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file...‎
The development of responsible civic behaviour may be encouraged from a very early age. ****Citizenship .... participation, partnership, social cohesion, solidarity, tolerance of diversity and social justice. ... x learning to listen and resolve conflicts peacefully; .... and spiritual heritage, respect for law and commitment to authority****.

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They didn't teach this when I was at school, but both my son and daughter did "Citizenship" at secondary school at GCSE level.

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They didn't teach "Citizenship" in my day, but they do now as my son and daughter did this at secondary school at GCSE level. This is for the UK of course:)

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It's quite hard when you are translating a course title for a course that there may not be an equivalent for here, but this to my mind seems as good as any.

http://www.theschoolrun.com/national-curriculum-pshe-explain...

Here are some examples of the areas that may be covered in PSHE:

Money
Money plays a large role in our lives and in the way we relate to each other.

Sex and relationships
Sex education has now become sex and relationships education (SRE), signalling the growing consensus that children are entitled to more than just the biological facts.

Personal health
Children learn that regular physical activity and a healthy diet can go a long way to ensuring they stay healthy.

Personal wellbeing
Children will talk about common pressures, issues such as friendship and belonging and other things that can contribute to mental wellbeing.

Social issues
Bereavement, voting, taking care of the environment and being a young carer are the kinds of social issues that will be covered. One popular topic is bullying, perhaps because it directly affects children at school, and it's crucial that they know where to seek help if needed.

Drug awareness
These lessons help pupils to understand more about drugs and also clarify any misconceptions they may have.