Ten states now make a college civics course required for all students in public postsecondary institutions. Influential national leaders and institutions have joined a chorus of support for this idea. In this session, panelists will examine the debates about whether such courses “work,” and what they should help students learn. Four panelists will provide different examples of civic courses that explore fundamental concepts, founding and freedom documents, free inquiry, and other proposed components of a required civics course.

Chair:  Brian Pusser, Associate Professor of Higher Education, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia

Panelists:

• Sandra Kelly, Vice Provost, Director of Global Carolina, and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, University of South Carolina
• Roosevelt Montás, Director and Faculty Member, Freedom and Citizenship Program and Interim Director, American Studies, Columbia University
• Trygve Throntveit, Director of Strategic Partnership, Minnesota Humanities Center and Founding Director, Institute for Public Life and Work