Civic Literacy Workshop 1 at FAU

Presenter: Jennifer Bieber Gal, Associate Dean for Retention and Academic Support at Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

Purpose of the Workshop

• Prepare students for the Civic Literacy Exam, a graduation requirement
• Focuses on U.S. history, government, and the U.S. Constitution
• Includes a practice test and review of key concepts

Workshop Outline

1. Introduction to Civic Literacy Requirement
   • Required by Florida Legislature since Fall 2018
   • Demonstrate proficiency via courses, AP tests, or the Civic Literacy Exam
   • Exam details: 100 multiple-choice questions, requires 60% to pass, free to take and retake
2. Basics of U.S. History
   • Colonization and 13 Original Colonies
     • Reasons for colonization: Religious freedom, escape persecution, economic opportunities
   • Declaration of Independence
     • July 4, 1776, authored by Thomas Jefferson
     • Concepts: Equality, unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
   • Articles of Confederation and U.S. Constitution
     • Articles of Confederation: Weak central government
     • U.S. Constitution: Established federal government, ratified in 1789
     • Federalist Papers: Supported ratification (Hamilton, Madison, Jay)
   • Bill of Rights and Amendments
     • First 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights
     • Total of 27 amendments
3. Key Government Concepts
   • Three Branches of Government
     • Executive, Legislative, Judicial
     • Separation of powers and checks and balances
   • Federalism
     • Balance between state and federal powers
     • Powers allocated to federal and state governments
4. Review and Practice Test
   • Test structure and areas of focus
   • Strategies for test-taking

Important Topics and Concepts

• Colonial Period and Declaration of Independence
  • Motivation for independence: No taxation without representation, end quartering of soldiers
  • Common Sense by Thomas Paine
• U.S. Constitution
  • Supreme Law of the Land, preamble, articles, and amendments
  • Federalism: Balance of state and federal powers
  • Rule of Law: No one is above the law
• Bill of Rights and Key Amendments
  • First Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, petition
  • Second Amendment: Right to bear arms
  • Fifth Amendment: Due process, self-incrimination, double jeopardy
  • Fourteenth Amendment: Citizenship, equal protection clause
• Branches of Government
  • Executive: Enforces laws, Presidential powers, and cabinet
  • Legislative: Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
  • Judicial: Supreme Court and its role

Additional Information

• U.S. Wars and Key Figures
  • Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars
  • Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR
• Civic Participation
  • Voting, running for office, civic engagement

Upcoming Workshops

• Workshop 2: Landmark Supreme Court Cases
• Workshop 3: Practice Test with games and review

Testing Reminders

• How to register for the Civic Literacy Test
• Testing conditions and requirements
• Encourage preparation through repeated practice and review