How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction. At Pennsylvania’s Cairn University, the much-needed subject is no longer optional.

James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | March 22, 2023 | Todd J. Williams

[karpov]

In the fall of 2020, Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania implemented a revised core curriculum that introduced, among other things, a new required course in civics and government. Reactions to this move have varied. Some critics and detractors view any teaching on the American founding or civics as either partisan indoctrination or a form of jingoism. Others appreciate Cairn’s making civics instruction a priority.

There are not nearly enough institutions of higher education that require such a course for all students. Many of those that do are private colleges or universities of a more conservative stripe, culturally and philosophically. Cairn University is such a school, yet it does not possess the characteristics of those institutions that are openly and assertively politicized on either the right or the left. Cairn does not publicly embrace or endorse candidates or elected officials, does not leverage students for political or social activism, and does not publicly criticize or champion today’s partisan political players. This kind of politicization is not the intent of the university and did not drive the creation of a civics requirement (or the content of the course itself). Understanding the actual how, why, and what of Cairn’s move may help readers grasp the value and necessity of such a course in higher education.

Now in its sixth semester, POL 101 enjoys a favorable reputation among students and has even provided the impetus for the launching of a new politics, philosophy, and history program. The newly required course is quickly becoming a distinctive for Cairn and serves as an example of how smaller and nimbler schools can move quickly to meet student needs.

[airborne]

PA Ping story for your interest

[Qwapisking]

Of Course no American should be exposed to a civics course in the process of liberal progressive indoctrinations! YOU PEOPLE are required to accept and believe what ever your government says is the truth about government and that is all you need to know to be a good little American. Went to school when civics was still a required course so when government bends me over with no lube...I know it’s not right. On the other hand I don’t need sex anymore because my government screws me every day.

[Varda]

Hmmm...actual education at a college, who knew?

[lightman]

Pennsylvania Ping!

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[mikelets456]

Our daughter graduated from there in 2021——She fought with numerous woke professors. I even called and ended up arguing with a curriculums advisor. She actually stated that socialism in practice, could be God’s way of getting us to help one another-—WHAT???!!!!

However, I heard in Mid-2022 they started firing these nutcases and giving them 1 -year contracts instead of 3 year. They would be scrutinizing them even more. The woking dead didn’t like it and started with the usual “KKK-—Christian nationalist” mantra.