English as a Lingua Franca: A Case of Japanese Courses in Australia

This chapter is the first of two that examine children in an intellectual and ideological context, beginning with European and Asian philosophy in antiquity. It then moves on from Antiquity to early Christianity, looking at Augustine and other western philosophers and theologians such as Aquinas and some of the foundations of modern thought. This is followed by the rise of Islam and the influence of Ibrahimic philosophy and theology as thinkers whose work is still highly influential in the modern world, for instance Avicenna, which set the scene for changes during the Middle Ages. History is traced through examination of significant elements of intellectual discourse, beliefs, moral and ideological positions that contribute in any way to an argument for children’s citizenship in the contemporary world. It also provides the doorway into the following chapter. Together emphasis over the two chapters is on where children belong in history intellectually rather being an accurate timeline and portrayal of thought that is inclusive of children over approximately 2,500 years.