Civics

[Werewolf]

In another thread it came to light that Civics is no longer a requirement for one to graduate from HS.

It sure was when I graduated back in 1970 and Political Science was a requirement for a college degree at both universities I attended - Texas A&M and the University of Oklahoma (from where I graduated).

So what the heck is going on. Why is a fundamental understanding of government and how it works no longer a required subject in HS. Is it even required in college anymore? If not why?

 

[jondar]

I wondered the very same thing the other day. I suppose it would be up to the school board what is taught. I remember my Civics teacher to this day and remember his saying that he closed the class with. "If you are ever adjudged legally insane in Kansas, move to California. You will be perfectly normal there."

 

[Soybomb]

I believe in Illinois there is a state mandated test on the state and us constitution high school students must pass to graduate which presumably includes some teaching along with it. Its been a while since I took it, but that sounds about right.

 

[GT]

You don't even have to read and write to graduate.


G

 

[chaim]

There is no such thing as civics in US high schools anymore, just like there is no such thing as history and geography. It is all rolled up into a catch all subject- social studies (which can also include sociology, economics and psychology as social studies credits thus allowing you to graduate with even less history, civics and geography). Still, at least in MD schools, students get at least a year of U.S. Government in high school (I'm teaching it this year to my ninth graders actually) and everyone who wants a high school diploma must pass a state test in the subject. So, while it isn't called "civics" anymore, they do get the subject matter in social studies.

 

[RNB65]

It's not just highschools. If you read enough THR threads on the US Constitution, 2A, Bill of Rights, etc., you'll quickly learn that many members of this forum don't have a clue about law and government either.

 

[Number 6]

It sure was when I graduated back in 1970 and Political Science was a requirement for a college degree at both universities I attended - Texas A&M and the University of Oklahoma (from where I graduated).

In both of California's public university systems, American Government is still required to graduate. American Government is also a requirement to graduate from high school in California.

 

[calzoom]

With 12-30 million new residents coming in who needs to know about G-ment?

After they use up the free stuff they will make their own G-ments just like the place they left.

 

[longeyes]

So what the heck is going on. Why is a fundamental understanding of government and how it works no longer a required subject in HS. Is it even required in college anymore? If not why?

With citizenship, nationhood, sovereignty, and representative gov't all vanishing concepts, quite by design, civics is useless and anachronistic. Far better to take Culture and Media Studies and learn how to curtsey and genuflect.

 

[bigun15]

From a high school student (junior)

The only kind of Civics I know of are made by Honda, but in order for a student to graduate from my high school you must pass a Government and Economics class. This is required for all students to take their senior year. Seems to me your Civics and my Gov and Econ are the same, so don't worry. There are at least some schools that do require at least a general understanding.

 

[Combat-wombat]

We have an '01 DX model, and so far it's been a fairly consistent, economical performer. At about 70,000 miles, we just had to replace the shock absorbers, but aside from that I'd recommend it as a good daily driver with low operating costs. So, if... err... Oh, sorry.

"Civics" per se was not a required class at my high school. Students do have to take something along the lines of "American History", but I agree that there is a definite lack of understanding about the government among high school students, as well as an increasing number of adults. I, for one, really did not learn much from public schooling.

 

[RioShooter]

In a recent poll, the number of people who new the names of the 3 Stooges was at least 3 times larger than the number who knew the 3 branches of U.S. government.

 

[crazed_ss]

I graduated in 97. I had to take History and Government classes.

 

[longeyes]

There are only three Stooges? I've counted quite a few more than that.

America is stuck on stupid. We'd better face facts.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

So what the heck is going on. Why is a fundamental understanding of government and...

...how it works no longer a required subject in HS (?)

Because if you don't know how government is supposed to work, government can run roughshod all over you, your rights, your money, your individuality, and your freedom. It can teach your kids any agenda they wish to teach them, all to the end of securing a foothold for the police state. It is exactly what stuff like "Zero Tolerance" is all about. Once our kids are desensitized to state control, it's kiss the Constitution good by.

The left was allowed to stay in power for far too long in this country. The damage is catastrophic. We need to purge academia as much as we need to purge the government.

Woody

"One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the Constitution, alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown...." George Washington, from his farewell address.

 

[FTF]

You can be a police officer with only a GED... why worry about civics.

 

[ccw9mm]

Why is a fundamental understanding of government and how it works no longer a required subject in HS.

It's taught to a far greater and more-accurate degree at the school of hard knocks: the streets, and in business. The reality is, your momma's gov't isn't, any longer. It doesn't operate that way. The legislature, voting, the way a bill flows ... sure, all of that's the same. But that's only a tenth of the field, given the realities of the execution of power. It's seen as more or less suplerfluous. A good argument can be made for that.

That said, I'm with you. Practical knowledge on the function, non-function and realities is a must. To the extent that can be achieved in a one-term civics course, I'm for it. I doubt it. Frankly, I'd think nothing short of a course a term is required to help young adults see what's going on, and to possibly get on the road toward participation and change. Without immersion, what we end up with is superficial touching on the subject.

 

[xd9fan]

tin-foil hat time........IMHO liberal public school teachers are not teaching about liberty and limited govt.....BY DESIGN. A generation clueless is a generation enslaved......"for the greater good"

 

[longeyes]

By design? Absolutely.

What America still hasn't figured out is that you can be rich and armed to the teeth...and still lose your culture in one generation.

While we have been making money and enjoying ourselves, we have handed over the control of our fundamental values, and their transmission, to people in media and education who do not share the vision of the Founding Fathers.

We are in for a shock--and, in fact, it's happening right now in front of us, as we watch our nation fracture.

The answer to this self-created problem will be draconian--if there's still time for an answer.

 

[Prince Yamato]

having gone through high-school during the Clintonian era, may I please enquire, what is Civics?

 

[Justin]

So what the heck is going on. Why is a fundamental understanding of government and how it works no longer a required subject in HS. Is it even required in college anymore? If not why?

Perhaps because politics and government have been beyond any sort of rational analysis for the better part of a couple of decades.

 

[Waitone]

Several years ago I had to meet with my daughter's HS science teacher. Don't worry about science vs civics. I'm illustrating a point. Anyway she walks in and is wearing a vest made of something. Adorning the vest is a collecting of buttons, pins, and stickers promoting various causes like women's rights, saving whales, deploring killing, ad nauseum. Front, sides and back was festooned with political placards. I asked my daughter is that was standard attire for this teacher and the response was yes. Did other teachers do likewise? Yup!

That ain't education; it is propaganda. I don't want propagandists teaching my kids about government. I'll do a much better job. Now if we can approach a political free zone in HS, I'll talk with ya. But I can not accept forced indoctrination as "education."

 

[Werewolf]

having gone through high-school during the Clintonian era, may I please enquire, what is Civics?

When I took it way back in 69-70 it was a course that:

1. Taught the Constitution and how it has changed over the years
2. Covered each branch of government and how they related to each other - checks and balances
3. Covered how laws are made
4. Covered a citizen's responsibilities regarding the whole process

 

[Don Gwinn]

In Illinois, every student must pass a Constitution test covering both Illinois and the Federal Constitution in order to graduate. This applies to every level with a formal graduation and diploma, so in practice most schools have to require students to pass a Constitution test during the 8th grade as well.

I highly doubt that civics are no longer taught in most American schools. I know a lot of people wish we'd spend more time on venerating the founding fathers and forget about the Incas, Harriet Tubman and the Holocaust if necessary, but that would be less education, not more.

It would be a wise thing to examine these automatic assumptions about the good old days. Nostalgia is not a point of view.

 

[RealGun]

The import of civics was lost on me, and I was in the B+ range of my class. I also had scouting field trips that included DC and Mt. Vernon. If "I got it", I don't recall that. I just think it is difficult for a young student to relate to adult nonsense that might have some underlying wisdom to it. There is such a thing as acquiring knowledge and understanding when ready for it. If even adults are profoundly cynical and biased about civics, what is a young kid supposed to think?