OLLI-POLT-6079 - Civics Slam! Learning About Government Now That You're Older & Wiser!

Course Description

There has been an increasing need to provide civics education to adults over the past few years. Recently, we have seen a growing division among people on social media, television and in person. The ability to civilly discuss ideas, differing viewpoints and varied political philosophies has quickly eroded into shouting matches and cancel culture. Part of this hostility can be traced to civic illiteracy and a lack of basic understanding of government. When people lack the proper education to take a position and support it with reasoning, they tend to shout their ideas rather than reason them out. This course will provide participants the opportunity to hear non-partisan views on topics such as basic ideas of government, the influence of Enlightenment philosophers, debates at the Constitutional Convention, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, political parties, the 14th Amendment and voting and citizenship rights. These topics, intertwined with answering questions, will give you a richer understanding of the basics of civics and government. Presenter: David Alcox David Alcox taught civics at Milford High School for 25 years. He earned his master's degree in teaching social studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, in 2006. He has received several awards and honors, including being named New Hampshire State Teacher of the Year three times, National Civics Teacher of the Year twice, the 2000 NH James Madison Fellowship recipient and the 2013 Milford Citizen of the Year.