Civic Literacy Workshop #1: US Constitution and Government

Jul 21, 2024

Mindmap

Civic Literacy Workshop #1: The US Constitution and the Founding of Our Country

Presenter

  • Jennifer Bieber Gal: Associate Dean for Retention and Academic Support at FAU.

Workshop Overview

  • Focus on history and government, aimed at preparing for the civic literacy exam (graduation requirement).
  • Includes: Civic Literacy fundamentals, U.S. history, constitution, amendments, wars, presidents, and basic government concepts.
  • Practice test at start and end.
  • Future workshops: Supreme Court cases (Workshop #2) and practice/review session (Workshop #3).

Civic Literacy Requirement

  • Introduced by the Florida legislature in 2018 for all degree students since fall 2018.
  • Satisfied by courses, AP tests, or the Civic Literacy Test (free and on-campus at FAU).
  • Civic Literacy Test: 100 multiple-choice questions, 60% passing score, no penalty for guessing, can be retaken for free.

The Basics of U.S. History

Colonists' Arrival and Independence

  • 13 Original Colonies: New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, etc.
  • Reasons for Coming: Religious freedom, escaping persecution, economic opportunities.
  • Declaration of Independence:
    • Signed on July 4, 1776 (Second Continental Congress).
    • Authored by Thomas Jefferson.
    • Independence Day: July 4.
    • Key Concepts: All men are created equal; endowed with unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).
    • Key Figures: Thomas Paine's “Common Sense”.

Post-Independence

  • Post-Revolutionary War: Articles of Confederation (failed due to weak central government).
  • US Constitution:
    • Written in 1787, ratified in 1789.
    • Establishes representative democracy and federalist government.
    • Supreme law of the land.
  • Federalist Papers: 85 essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay supporting constitution ratification.

The U.S. Constitution and Amendments

Structure and Key Articles

  • Preamble: “We the people” (concept of self-government).
  • Seven Articles: Structure of government (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial).
  • Amendments: Changes or additions to the constitution.

The First Ten Amendments (Bill of Rights)

  1. First Amendment: Freedoms of speech, religion (free exercise clause), assembly, press, and petition.
  2. Second Amendment: Right to bear arms.
  3. Third Amendment: Prohibits quartering of soldiers.
  4. Fourth Amendment: Prohibits unreasonable search and seizure, sets requirements for search warrants.
  5. Fifth Amendment: Due process, eminent domain, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.
  6. Sixth Amendment: Fair, speedy trial, right to counsel.
  7. Seventh Amendment: Right to jury trial in civil cases.
  8. Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive fines, bail, cruel and unusual punishment.
  9. Ninth Amendment: Rights not enumerated are retained by the people.
  10. Tenth Amendment: Any power not given to the federal government is given to the states.

Other Amendments

  • 13th Amendment: Abolishes slavery.
  • 14th Amendment: Defines citizenship, equal protection, due process.
  • 15th Amendment: Voting rights regardless of race.
  • 16th Amendment: Income tax.
  • 17th Amendment: Direct election of senators.
  • 19th Amendment: Women’s suffrage.
  • 22nd Amendment: Limits president to two terms (prompted by FDR’s four terms).
  • 24th Amendment: Prohibits poll taxes.
  • 26th Amendment: Lowers voting age to 18.

Basic Concepts of Government

Three Branches of Government

  1. Executive Branch: Enforces laws (President, VP, Cabinet).
    • Presidential powers: signs treaties, proposes laws, commander-in-chief, appoints judges and officials, veto power.
    • Presidential term: Four years, max two terms.
  2. Legislative Branch: Makes laws (Congress - House and Senate).
    • Bicameral: Senate (100 members, six-year terms), House of Representatives (435 members, two-year terms).
  3. Judicial Branch: Interprets laws (Supreme Court and other federal courts).
    • Supreme Court: Nine justices, lifetime appointment.
    • Current Chief Justice: John Roberts Jr.

Separation of Powers and Federalism

  • Federalism: Division of power between state and national governments.
  • Powers of Federal Government: Print money, declare war, create an army, make treaties.
  • Powers of State Government: Education, police protection, licenses, zoning and land use.
  • Shared Powers: Taxation.

Additional Key Points

  • Political Parties: Democratic and Republican are main parties.
  • Economic System: Capitalist/market economy.
  • Historical Wars: Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I & II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War.
  • Key Figures: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, FDR, Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr.

Practice Test and Next Steps

  • Practice quiz review.
  • Instructions to register for the civic literacy test at FAU.

Remember, continuous practice and familiarizing with the study materials are key to passing the civic literacy exam. Take advantage of the resources provided, and good luck!