This brings together a lot of topics: public opinion, polling, media, polarization, and the duty of citizens and opinion leaders to be responsible consumers and producers of political information (news literacy).
How can truth prevail in an information environment flooded with deception, including now deep fakes? The reporter in this video segment suggests (1) check the source and (2) Google it. This parallels what I see as the two most essential skills citizens need for navigating today’s incredibly complex information environment. Read more…
‘Senators, I’m asking you, put the stones down, and let’s trust the women who are in this room.’ — This pastor used a Bible story to speak out against a law that would ban early-term abortions in her state pic.twitter.com/I6kP0QFD5a — NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 27, 2019 State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz Read more…
We need to update our lecture notes, lesson plans, textbooks, etc. The Supreme Court has incorporated another right: the prohibition on “excessive fines” from the Eighth Amendment. As Ruthann Robson write: Now the only rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights that are not incorporated through the Fourteenth Amendment to Read more…
Stan Lee’s 2007 comic from the Atlantic about what he says is the “one noble idea” America is based on could make for a good discussion on American political culture and the idea that there is a unifying “American Creed.” For the rest of the comic, follow this link.
If, in a unit on Political Participation, you like discussing the potential for government-led reform efforts to increase democratic participation, you could discuss recent experiences in Brazil as demonstrating both the promise and shortcomings of such efforts. Link to article Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
This might be something good to discuss when covering chapters on Public Opinion and the Media. Link to article Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
I think this could be useful for generating discussion about the freedom of expression. Do we really have a right to say whatever mean and hateful things we want to others? If, even as he seems to admit, we don’t have a moral right to do so, then why should Read more…
This incident can be used to illustrate a lot of core concepts, including government use of force; rule of law / limited government / constitutional government / securing rights; separation of powers; and the Fourth Amendment. Link to article Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread
I personally agree with this argument, but I think this is a useful for teaching even if for those who don’t agree with it. Among other things, it shows how the Declaration of Independence can serve to set the terms of debate in American politics and delineate between that which is Read more…
This would be great for provoking discussion of First Amendment freedom of expression. Notice he does not seem to realize that the central issue here is whether the First Amendment protects speech like Spencer’s. If it does, then according to the Supreme Court, the university must allow him to speak Read more…
Link to article Link to US Civitas Facebook Discussion Thread