Civics

Mr. Shawn Gray

 

Civics Declaration. Constitution. Three branches. Filibusters. Electoral College. Federalism. States rights. Parties. Civil rights. Voting. Or not. What?

 

In this course we will study how to be a citizen in our American democracy. We will learn what is required of citizens in a democracy. We will seek to understand how our system of representative government works. We will seek to learn what it means to listen to someone with whom we disagree and hear them out. We will learn how to state a view, defend it with evidence, and be willing to change our minds when someone convinces us that we are wrong.

 

This course is a seminar. Students will be expected to complete assigned reading each week. Additional videos may be assigned. Class time will be dedicated to discussion, debate, clarification, and an occasional guest teacher. Additional out-of-class enrichment activities—such as field trips, lectures, film and literature discussion groups—may be offered depending upon interest and opportunity.

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Nick Capodice & Hannah McCarthy, A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works (https://amzn.to/3kt8dxp)

• Nicholas Lemann, American Democracy: 21 Historic Answers to 5 Urgent Questions (https://amzn.to/3z4Eqzk)

• One college-ruled spiral notebook

• Pens and/or pencils for note taking

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COURSE MATERIALS FEE:

• $10 payable with tuition on December 1st