Posted on 07/10/2025 8:57:33 AM PDT by karpov
A need to reinvest in civics education has become a bipartisan refrain in recent years. While academics lament declining trust in our institutions and worsening political polarization, civics education has become an often-invoked panacea. But civics has also become a front line in the ongoing culture wars. Liberal faculty suspect high-profile civics initiatives at the University of Florida, the University of Texas-Austin, and Arizona State University of corroding academic freedom and creating “conservative DEI” programs on campuses across the country; meanwhile, a recent $1 billion congressional plan to boost civics education fell victim to conservative opposition.
Civics education alone cannot solve the complex problems facing American society. But institutions of higher education that embrace civics education can stanch declining enrollments, reclaim their faltering reputations among Americans, and contribute to a revival of the country’s civic health. As more colleges and universities experiment in the civics space, an untapped resource lies in wait: partnerships. Partnerships with institutions already invested in civics education are an open frontier in higher education. Such partnerships open up new learning environments, build bridges across disciplines, model bipartisan engagement, and shepherd students to a new arena of employment we call “civics careers.”
Leading civics groups have stated that collaboration is key to the civics-education ecosystem, but, given the great diversity of organizations and actors now entering the civics game, it is important to find the right partner. Civics coalitions have come into vogue in recent years, with brand-name institutions and prominent educational leaders pledging alliances that commit diverse signatories to lofty goals for improving civility and knowledge of governing processes.
Coalitions are certainly an important driver of success in the civics space, but they leave room for significant variation in how signatories promote the civic health of the United States.
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BTTT
Civics?!?!!!!? Doesn’t that perpetuate the patriarchy?
US Government, Economics and fourth year English used to be 12th grade subjects.
A document written two and a half centuries ago to be read and understood by the common citizen, needs to be taught in higher education for God knows how much per credit hour. That’s just the basic charter of government. Education in this country is that pathetic.
We had excellent civics education (including an Honors program) in our high school in Arizona back in the day.
It is good to have civics education BEFORE attending college!
Our Honors civics education included the Federalist Papers, as well as the usual Declaration of independence, US and State Constitution, etc.
Per Charles D’Montesquieu, the first purpose of education in a republic is to promote love of country.
To be kept, a republic must be loved.
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