San Marino Scuola Secondaria Superiore - Liceo Linguistico: Religion/Ethics, Culture and Society

Students in the Liceo Linguistico program in San Marino can choose between two courses: "Religione cattolica" (Catholic Religion) and "Etica, cultura e società" (Ethics, Culture and Society). "Etica, cultura e società" (ECS) was introduced to provide students who do not follow Catholic Religion instruction with competencies in ethical themes. The curriculum for ECS is designed to be universal and non-denominational, drawing upon international guidelines and frameworks. It aims to equip students with the individual and social skills necessary to critically reflect on ethical issues and adopt corresponding behaviors.

The ECS curriculum emphasizes three key dimensions:

• Responsibility towards oneself: This involves self-awareness, understanding one's identity, projects, and dreams, and making life and academic choices aligned with them.
• Responsibility towards others: This focuses on open, civil, and tolerant interaction with others, appreciating diverse viewpoints and perspectives, and critically examining one's own beliefs.
• Responsibility towards the world: This encourages striving for a better world by translating cultural awareness into active responsibility for others, culture, and the world itself.

The ECS curriculum is implemented across different school levels, with specific learning objectives and methodologies tailored to each stage:

• Scuola Elementare (Elementary School): Focuses on developing personal identity, self-awareness, and understanding of emotions. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the world and human existence, and to develop an initial understanding of social complexities.
• Scuola Media (Middle School): Addresses the challenges of adolescence, including physical and emotional changes, peer relationships, and the impact of technology. Students are guided to develop critical thinking skills and make informed choices about their future studies and life.
• Scuola Superiore (High School): Explores broader horizons and encourages students to define their values and sense of purpose. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and engagement with global issues. Students are encouraged to develop their own "cultural project" intertwined with their life project, encompassing future studies, training, and personal growth.