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

Welcome and Introduction

• Speaker: Jennifer Bieber Gal, Associate Dean for Retention and Academic Support at FAU.
• Purpose: Preparation for the Civic Literacy Exam, a graduation requirement at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
• Agenda: Focus on US Constitution, history, and government. Followed by practice tests and information on future workshops.

Workshop Overview

• Civic Literacy Exam:
  • Requirement for all students since Fall 2018 in Florida.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in civic literacy to graduate.
  • Test is free, 100 multiple choice questions, need 60% to pass.
  • Information on how to sign up for the exam available through FAU's Office of Testing and Evaluation.

Topics Covered

US History Basics

• Colonial Period:
  • 13 original colonies formed along the eastern seaboard.
  • Reasons for colonization: religious freedom, escape persecution, economic opportunities.
• Declaration of Independence (1776):
  • Key ideas: equality, unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).
  • Author: Thomas Jefferson.
• Articles of Confederation:
  • Initial unworkable government structure with weak central power.
• US Constitution (Ratified in 1789):
  • Established a representative democracy and federalist system.
  • Federalism: Balance of powers between state and federal government.
  • Amendments: Changes or additions to the Constitution.

Amendments and Bill of Rights

• Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments protecting citizen rights.
• Major Amendments:
  • 1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.
  • 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms.
  • 3rd Amendment: Prohibits quartering of soldiers.
  • 4th Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches.
  • 5th Amendment: Right to due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy.
  • 14th Amendment: Citizenship and equal protection under law.
  • 15th, 19th, 24th, 26th Amendments: Voting rights extensions.

Government Concepts

• Three Branches of Government:
  • Executive Branch: President, enforces laws, commander-in-chief of military.
  • Legislative Branch: Congress (Senate and House of Representatives), makes laws.
  • Judicial Branch: Supreme Court, interprets laws.
• Checks and Balances: Prevents any one branch from gaining too much power.

Key Historical Figures and Events

• Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, FDR.
• Wars: Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars.
• Other Key Figures: Benjamin Franklin, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr.

Practice Test and Review

• Conducted practice test with review of answers.
• Emphasized understanding federalism, amendments, and government structure.

Future Workshops

• Workshop 2: Landmark Supreme Court cases.
• Workshop 3: Complete practice test and review session.

Testing Information

• Test Registration: Go to FAU's testing website, follow instructions to register for a free test.
• Test Timing: Available Monday through Friday, need to bring a valid ID.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to attend future workshops.
• Emphasis on the importance of understanding civic literacy for graduation.