Summary
Highlights
Jennifer Bieber-Gall introduces the first civic literacy workshop at Florida Atlantic University, designed to prepare students for the civic literacy exam—a graduation requirement for all Florida state college and university students since Fall 2018. The workshop will cover U.S. history, including the Constitution and its amendments, as well as basic concepts of government.
The civic literacy exam is presented as the quickest, easiest, and free way to fulfill the graduation requirement. It's a 100-question multiple-choice test, with no penalty for guessing, requiring only 60 correct answers to pass. Students have two hours but typically finish in under an hour and can retake it for free if they don't pass the first time. The exam score doesn't appear on transcripts, only the fulfillment of the requirement.
Students are instructed to pause the video and take a 20-31 question practice test available on the Canvas site. They are encouraged to mark questions they are confident about with a star and those they are unsure about with a question mark, hoping the workshop will convert question marks into stars.
The workshop delves into U.S. history, starting from the arrival of colonists from Great Britain, their declaration of independence, and the creation of the Constitution and its amendments, particularly stressing the Bill of Rights. Key historical questions and concepts that appear on the exam are highlighted.
Discussion covers the 13 original colonies, noting their geographical placement along the eastern seaboard for travel and trade. The main reasons for colonists coming to America were religious freedom, escaping persecution, and seeking new economic opportunities. The Mayflower Compact's role in early self-government is mentioned.
Explores the reasons for declaring independence from Great Britain, such as taxation without representation and quartering of soldiers. Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' is noted for convincing colonists. The Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, by 55 men including Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock, laid out core American government ideas like 'all men are created equal' and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The initial attempt at self-government, the Articles of Confederation, is discussed as a failure due to a weak central government and too much power vested in the states. This led to its replacement by the U.S. Constitution in 1789, which has been the supreme law of the land for over 230 years. The Constitution established a representative democracy and the concept of federalism, balancing state and federal powers. The phrase 'We the People' is highlighted as setting up self-government, and the 'Rule of Law' signifies that no one is above the law.
The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays primarily by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, are explained as crucial for convincing the states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. They argued for a balance of power (federalism) between state and federal governments, overcoming anti-federalist concerns about a strong central government.
An amendment is defined as a change or addition to the Constitution. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously in 1791 to protect citizens' rights. The rigorous amendment process requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states, ensuring the Constitution is not easily changed.
A detailed explanation of the first ten amendments is provided. The First Amendment covers freedom of speech, religion (free exercise clause), assembly, press, and petition. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms. The Third Amendment prohibits quartering soldiers. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment covers eminent domain, due process, protection against self-incrimination, and double jeopardy. The Sixth Amendment guarantees a fair and speedy public trial, and the right to counsel. The Seventh Amendment extends jury trials to civil cases. The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth and Tenth Amendments protect unenumerated rights and reserve powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, respectively.
The workshop continues with amendments 11-27. The 11th deals with sovereign immunity. The 12th changed the presidential election process. The 13th abolished slavery. The 14th defined citizenship, due process, and equal protection. The 15th granted black men the right to vote. The 16th established income tax. The 17th allowed direct election of senators. The 18th enacted prohibition (later repealed by the 21st). The 19th granted women suffrage. The 20th changed inauguration dates. The 22nd limited presidential terms to two. The 23rd granted electoral votes to D.C. The 24th abolished poll taxes. The 25th addresses presidential succession. The 26th lowered the voting age to 18. The 27th deals with congressional salary changes.
A summary of the four amendments related to voting is given: 15th (race), 19th (women), 24th (poll taxes), and 26th (age 18). It's stressed that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, serve on federal juries, or run for federal office, but all residents are protected by the Bill of Rights. Ways to participate in democracy are listed, including voting, running for office, and engaging in political discourse.
The workshop briefly touches on less frequently tested topics: the two major political parties (Democratic and Republican), the April 15th federal income tax deadline, selective service registration for men aged 18-26, the U.S. capitalist economic system, and how the U.S. grew its territory (e.g., Louisiana Purchase) and its five territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam) and their representation in Congress.
A concise overview of major U.S. wars is provided, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War. Key historical figures and presidents like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Benjamin Franklin, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King Jr. are introduced, along with their significant contributions.
The workshop transitions to the three branches of U.S. government, emphasizing the framers' intent to limit power through checks and balances and separation of powers. The Executive Branch (President, Vice President, Cabinet) enforces laws, signs treaties, sets policies, appoints officials (subject to Senate confirmation), proposes laws, signs/vetoes bills, and acts as commander-in-chief of the military. The President serves a four-year term, limited to two terms by the 22nd Amendment. Presidential succession involves the Vice President, then the Speaker of the House.
The Legislative Branch (Congress) is bicameral, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress makes laws. The Senate has 100 members (two per state), serving six-year terms. The House of Representatives has 435 members, with representation based on state population (determined by the census), serving two-year terms to ensure greater accountability to constituents.
The Judicial Branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, decides if laws and actions comply with the Constitution. There are nine Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. Justices are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and serve for life or until they can no longer fulfill their duties.
The concept of federalism, balancing national and state government powers, is reiterated. Federal powers include printing money, declaring war, building an army, and making treaties. State powers, often related to local welfare, include education, police/fire safety, licensing (e.g., driver's, marriage), and zoning/land use. Taxing is a shared power between federal and state governments.
The workshop reviews the answers to the practice quiz, emphasizing key concepts like the Constitution's role, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, self-government, economic system, rule of law, presidential succession, branches of government, voting amendments, and federalism. Students are reminded that some questions may require critical thinking to apply concepts to scenarios. Information on how to schedule the civic literacy test through the FAU testing website is provided, including required ID, attire regulations, and test availability.