Is civics education in the U.S. having a moment, as in a long-overdue upgrade, for a topic essential to our democracy? And will that moment translate into more substantial education on the rights and obligations of our citizens and voters-to-be?

In “A Civic Way to Reverse Polarization,” The Purple Principle takes on these questions with four special guests well versed in civics, kicking off with the producer-hosts of the popular NHPR radio show, podcast, and educational series Civics 101, Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice. Civics 101 has produced 250 episodes to date on topics ranging from the electoral college to Supreme Court decisions and Executive Orders. In recent years, it has also expanded its educational outreach to middle and high school classrooms around the country.

But can the rights and responsibilities of citizens really engage kids in the age of Tik Tok or House Party? In her TPP interview, Superintendent Dr. Laura Hammack attests that civics can engage kids, particularly when a well-conceived curriculum with some competition is attached – at least this was the case with her former school district and the We the People competition created by the Center for Civic Education. 

Also in this episode, Lt. Colonel Michael Moffett, a former Marine, teacher of Civics, and now state legislator, underscores the importance of assessments of civics education. Lt.Col. Moffet sponsored New Hampshire House Bill 320, which mandates the citizenship test for high school graduates in the state. 

Civics may not have had this much attention since the “I’m Just A Bill” song aired on Schoolhouse Rock in the mid-1970s or Lisa earned extra points for her civics speech after the judge met her father in a 1990s Simpsons episode. Tune into The Purple Principle’s “A Civic Way to Reverse Polarization?” to learn more. 

Original Music by Ryan Adair Rooney



Show Notes

Our Guests

@Capodice

@HMcCarthyNHPR

@Civics101pod

@BeechGroveSupt

@MofMichael

Civics 101: A Podcast

Nick Capodice & Hannah McCarthy, A User’s Guide to Democracy: How America Works

Additional Resources

Center for Civic Education

iCivics

Tufts' CIRCLE

Annenberg Classroom – Resources For Excellent Civics Education

Civics Renewal Network

Center for Political Thought and Leadership at ASU

Democratic Knowledge Project

Institute for Citizens & Scholars at Princeton University

Generation Citizen

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Our website: https://fluentknowledge.com/shows/the-purple-principle/a-civic-way 

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