Friends, we need your help so that we may in turn provide YOU with what you desire. One of the goals here at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship is to provide teachers and the community with the professional development and resources they desire. In pursuit of this goal, we would like to begin a new and ongoing webinar series around topics of interest to the social studies and civics educator. In order to determine what sorts of webinars we will offer, we have created a quick survey that asks you to rank order topics and select days and times that work for you. Each webinar will range from 30 to 90 minutes, and all webinars will be permanently archived and available following the session. If none of the potential topics listed in the survey interest or are needed by you, PLEASE tell us what you would like!
Friends, we need your help so that we may in turn provide YOU with what you desire. One of the goals here at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship is to provide teachers and the community with the professional development and resources they desire. In pursuit of this goal, we would like to begin a new and ongoing webinar series around topics of interest to the social studies and civics educator. In order to determine what sorts of webinars we will offer, we have created a quick survey that asks you to rank order topics and select days and times that work for you. Each webinar will range from 30 to 90 minutes, and all webinars will be permanently archived and available following the session. If none of the potential topics listed in the survey interest or are needed by you, PLEASE tell us what you would like!
Friends, it is time once again to alert you to a fantastic primary source driven conference that is held here at UCF. Dr. Scott Waring, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor for the Social Science Education Program at the University of Central Florida, is organizing his SOURCES conference, and I encourage you to register and attend. Registration is free, and having attended last year’s conference myself, well worth the time. Information on the conference and the registration link is provided below. I hope to see you there!
The Teaching with Primary Sources Program at the University of Central Florida (TPS-UCF) will be hosting the second annual SOURCES Annual Conference at the University of Central Florida on January 16, 2016. The SOURCES Annual Conference is a free opportunity available to any educators interested in the utilization and integration of primary sources into K-12 teaching. Presenters will focus on providing strategies for using primary sources to help K-12 students engage in learning, develop critical thinking skills, and build content knowledge, specifically in one or more of the following ways:
Justifying conclusions about whether a source is primary or secondary depending upon the time or topic under study;
Describing examples of the benefits of teaching with primary sources;
Analyzing a primary source using Library of Congress tools;
Identifying key considerations for selecting primary sources for instructional use (for example, student needs and interests, teaching goals, etc.);
Accessing primary sources and teaching resources from www.loc.gov for instructional use;
Analyzing primary sources in different formats;
Analyzing a set of related primary sources in order to identify multiple perspectives;
Demonstrating how primary sources can support at least one teaching strategy (for example, literacy, inquiry-based learning, historical thinking, etc.); and
Presenting a primary source-based activity that helps students engage in learning, develop critical thinking skills and construct knowledge.
Registration is free and is now open for the SOURCES Annual Conference. Please complete the information on the following linked page to register for the SOURCES Conference: http://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02M6I0hSrdTDGPb
Friends, it is time once again to alert you to a fantastic primary source driven conference that is held here at UCF. Dr. Scott Waring, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor for the Social Science Education Program at the University of Central Florida, is organizing his SOURCES conference, and I encourage you to register and attend. Registration is free, and having attended last year’s conference myself, well worth the time. Information on the conference and the registration link is provided below. I hope to see you there!
The Teaching with Primary Sources Program at the University of Central Florida (TPS-UCF) will be hosting the second annual SOURCES Annual Conference at the University of Central Florida on January 16, 2016. The SOURCES Annual Conference is a free opportunity available to any educators interested in the utilization and integration of primary sources into K-12 teaching. Presenters will focus on providing strategies for using primary sources to help K-12 students engage in learning, develop critical thinking skills, and build content knowledge, specifically in one or more of the following ways:
Justifying conclusions about whether a source is primary or secondary depending upon the time or topic under study;
Describing examples of the benefits of teaching with primary sources;
Analyzing a primary source using Library of Congress tools;
Identifying key considerations for selecting primary sources for instructional use (for example, student needs and interests, teaching goals, etc.);
Accessing primary sources and teaching resources from www.loc.gov for instructional use;
Analyzing primary sources in different formats;
Analyzing a set of related primary sources in order to identify multiple perspectives;
Demonstrating how primary sources can support at least one teaching strategy (for example, literacy, inquiry-based learning, historical thinking, etc.); and
Presenting a primary source-based activity that helps students engage in learning, develop critical thinking skills and construct knowledge.
Registration is free and is now open for the SOURCES Annual Conference. Please complete the information on the following linked page to register for the SOURCES Conference: http://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02M6I0hSrdTDGPb
Well, good morning, friends in civics. It has been awhile, and we have some post backlog built up. I apologize for the delay in posting, but I have been on the road a great deal the past few weeks, including on civics item review (which will be a post of its own this week). Prior to heading on the road, I had the great pleasure to take part in the Lou Frey Institute‘s Fall 2015 Symposium. The symposiums, one of the most important legacies of retired Congressman Lou Frey, Jr and a significant project of the Institute, are open to the public and every year we invite hundreds of high school students, and their teachers, to join us for a look at important issues in civic life. This year’s symposium, ‘The 2016 Road to the White House’, featured a set of panel discussions relating to political advertising and voter manipulation, issues facing the Democratic and Republican parties in the 2016 election, and why every citizen should be engaged in civic work and action. We also had a fantastic keynote from the renowned scholar, Dr. James Thurber. This time around, the symposium featured a great deal of interaction with students, with the second and third panels almost entirely driven by audience questions. Take a look at the agenda below! (click on the agenda to enlarge)
Dr. James Thurber, Distinguished Professor of Government, and Founder and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University discusses politics, process, and polarization in American elections.
Dr. Jim Kitchens, head of The Kitchens Group and an attitude and mass persuasion specialist. John Dowless, President and Founder, Millennium Consulting Dick Batchelor, Moderator, Dick Batchelor Management Group Using actual examples from both winning and losing bellwether presidential campaigns, this panel discusses how candidates use televised campaign advertisements in an effort to persuade voters, manipulate opinion, and shape the attitude of the electorate over both the short and long term.
Brian Barrett, Florida State Director, Republican National Committe Brian Kirchberg, former state house campaign manager and field operative Ryan Houck, Communications Strategist and Media Consultant, Consensus Communications This interactive panel, almost entirely driven by student questions, gives participants the opportunity to talk with experienced political operatives about issues within the 2016 presidential election as well as how the parties approach areas of policy and politics.
Dr. Stephen S. Masyada, Director, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship Tyler Yeargain, Legislative Affairs Coordinator, Student Government Association, UCF Dr. Masyada and Mr. Yeargain discuss with participants why engagement with civic life matters and describe ways in which college students can become involved within the university and broader community to make a difference as citizens.
We are grateful for everyone that contributed to the discussions, for our panel members and keynote, and for Ms. Marcia Bexley, program manager for the Lou Frey Institute, who worked in conjunction with our own Laura Stephenson in ensuring that the symposium this year went off without a hitch. I encourage you to check out some of the other Lou Frey Institute symposia as well! The archives for the past few years can be found here.
Well, good morning, friends in civics. It has been awhile, and we have some post backlog built up. I apologize for the delay in posting, but I have been on the road a great deal the past few weeks, including on civics item review (which will be a post of its own this week). Prior to heading on the road, I had the great pleasure to take part in the Lou Frey Institute‘s Fall 2015 Symposium. The symposiums, one of the most important legacies of retired Congressman Lou Frey, Jr and a significant project of the Institute, are open to the public and every year we invite hundreds of high school students, and their teachers, to join us for a look at important issues in civic life. This year’s symposium, ‘The 2016 Road to the White House’, featured a set of panel discussions relating to political advertising and voter manipulation, issues facing the Democratic and Republican parties in the 2016 election, and why every citizen should be engaged in civic work and action. We also had a fantastic keynote from the renowned scholar, Dr. James Thurber. This time around, the symposium featured a great deal of interaction with students, with the second and third panels almost entirely driven by audience questions. Take a look at the agenda below! (click on the agenda to enlarge)
Dr. James Thurber, Distinguished Professor of Government, and Founder and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University discusses politics, process, and polarization in American elections.
Dr. Jim Kitchens, head of The Kitchens Group and an attitude and mass persuasion specialist. John Dowless, President and Founder, Millennium Consulting Dick Batchelor, Moderator, Dick Batchelor Management Group Using actual examples from both winning and losing bellwether presidential campaigns, this panel discusses how candidates use televised campaign advertisements in an effort to persuade voters, manipulate opinion, and shape the attitude of the electorate over both the short and long term.
Brian Barrett, Florida State Director, Republican National Committe Brian Kirchberg, former state house campaign manager and field operative Ryan Houck, Communications Strategist and Media Consultant, Consensus Communications This interactive panel, almost entirely driven by student questions, gives participants the opportunity to talk with experienced political operatives about issues within the 2016 presidential election as well as how the parties approach areas of policy and politics.
Dr. Stephen S. Masyada, Director, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship Tyler Yeargain, Legislative Affairs Coordinator, Student Government Association, UCF Dr. Masyada and Mr. Yeargain discuss with participants why engagement with civic life matters and describe ways in which college students can become involved within the university and broader community to make a difference as citizens.
We are grateful for everyone that contributed to the discussions, for our panel members and keynote, and for Ms. Marcia Bexley, program manager for the Lou Frey Institute, who worked in conjunction with our own Laura Stephenson in ensuring that the symposium this year went off without a hitch. I encourage you to check out some of the other Lou Frey Institute symposia as well! The archives for the past few years can be found here.
One of the pleasures of working at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship is that we are housed in the environs of the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government. Because the LFI is a part of the broader University of Central Florida community, it is available to students as a work-study opportunity. Happily, this means that we are blessed with young college students who are wonderfully engaged in civic life. It is important to note, however, that the mission statement of the Lou Frey Institute includes “Promoting the development of enlightened, responsible, and actively engaged citizens”. This does not mean creating a generation of liberals or conservatives, Republicans or Democrats, Libertarians or Greens. It means citizens. So we welcome students from all perspectives, and we encourage them to pursue their civic passions.
One of these students, Brittany Turner, is an active member of the Libertarian-leaning organization Young Americans for Liberty, and she had the opportunity to serve as an intern at the Institute for Humane Studies. As a civic educator, I am thrilled by the idea of young people living the life of an engaged citizen, and I thank Brittany for her efforts to make a difference. Today’s post describes her experience working in the heart of our nation’s capital.
This past summer, I had the pleasure and honor of participating in an internship program in Washington DC. The program I interned through was the Koch Internship Program (KIP), which is run by the Charles Koch Institute. The KIP program is a educational program where attendees receive hands on professional development training and education on Classical Liberal knowledge and skills, while building a valuable professional network and an understanding of the non-profit career path. My actual internship was at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS). The Institute for Humane Studies supports the achievement of a freer society by discovering and facilitating the development of talented students, scholars, and other intellectuals who share an interest in liberty and in advancing the principles and practice of freedom. At IHS, I interned in the Events Management department where I took on many big projects throughout the summer. For example, I was involved in the creation of the readers IHS sends out to their fall and spring seminar participants.
One of the best things about interning in Washington DC was the atmosphere. So many important events are going on every single minute of the day in DC: policy decisions are being made, citizens are trying to influence their congress-person to have a particular stance on a specific issue, the Supreme Court is deciding liberty-affecting cases, and so much more. Another great characteristic of the DC atmosphere is how professional it is. This is the best environment for a young professional that seeks to be engaged in civic life. I felt involved and engaged as a young professional and as a citizen. It made me want to strive for better. When everyone else around you is achieving great things and demonstrating their passion for civic engagement and politics, it is contagious. It’s an ongoing joke in DC that if you can schedule your day right, you can rely on feeding yourself (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) by attending networking events (because so many go on everyday of the week).
Participating in a internship program and interning was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned a lot about working in events at a non-profit, polished my professional development skills, learned so much more about Classical Liberal philosophy, and made the best group of friends anyone can ask for. Interning in Washington DC was a dream not many achieve and is something I recommend, especially if you are looking for ways to be involved and make a difference that go beyond simply voting. Truthfully, you don’t even have to go to DC to volunteer as a citizen! Check out your local campaigns and nonprofits and see if there are opportunities for civic engagement and practice. It doesn’t matter what your politics are; it only matters that you act as a citizen should and be involved! My experience in DC taught me this and so much more.
Thanks, Brittany, for the post, and for your desire to step up and engage as both a college student and a citizen!
One of the pleasures of working at the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship is that we are housed in the environs of the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government. Because the LFI is a part of the broader University of Central Florida community, it is available to students as a work-study opportunity. Happily, this means that we are blessed with young college students who are wonderfully engaged in civic life. It is important to note, however, that the mission statement of the Lou Frey Institute includes “Promoting the development of enlightened, responsible, and actively engaged citizens”. This does not mean creating a generation of liberals or conservatives, Republicans or Democrats, Libertarians or Greens. It means citizens. So we welcome students from all perspectives, and we encourage them to pursue their civic passions.
One of these students, Brittany Turner, is an active member of the Libertarian-leaning organization Young Americans for Liberty, and she had the opportunity to serve as an intern at the Institute for Humane Studies. As a civic educator, I am thrilled by the idea of young people living the life of an engaged citizen, and I thank Brittany for her efforts to make a difference. Today’s post describes her experience working in the heart of our nation’s capital.
This past summer, I had the pleasure and honor of participating in an internship program in Washington DC. The program I interned through was the Koch Internship Program (KIP), which is run by the Charles Koch Institute. The KIP program is a educational program where attendees receive hands on professional development training and education on Classical Liberal knowledge and skills, while building a valuable professional network and an understanding of the non-profit career path. My actual internship was at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS). The Institute for Humane Studies supports the achievement of a freer society by discovering and facilitating the development of talented students, scholars, and other intellectuals who share an interest in liberty and in advancing the principles and practice of freedom. At IHS, I interned in the Events Management department where I took on many big projects throughout the summer. For example, I was involved in the creation of the readers IHS sends out to their fall and spring seminar participants.
One of the best things about interning in Washington DC was the atmosphere. So many important events are going on every single minute of the day in DC: policy decisions are being made, citizens are trying to influence their congress-person to have a particular stance on a specific issue, the Supreme Court is deciding liberty-affecting cases, and so much more. Another great characteristic of the DC atmosphere is how professional it is. This is the best environment for a young professional that seeks to be engaged in civic life. I felt involved and engaged as a young professional and as a citizen. It made me want to strive for better. When everyone else around you is achieving great things and demonstrating their passion for civic engagement and politics, it is contagious. It’s an ongoing joke in DC that if you can schedule your day right, you can rely on feeding yourself (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) by attending networking events (because so many go on everyday of the week).
Participating in a internship program and interning was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned a lot about working in events at a non-profit, polished my professional development skills, learned so much more about Classical Liberal philosophy, and made the best group of friends anyone can ask for. Interning in Washington DC was a dream not many achieve and is something I recommend, especially if you are looking for ways to be involved and make a difference that go beyond simply voting. Truthfully, you don’t even have to go to DC to volunteer as a citizen! Check out your local campaigns and nonprofits and see if there are opportunities for civic engagement and practice. It doesn’t matter what your politics are; it only matters that you act as a citizen should and be involved! My experience in DC taught me this and so much more.
Thanks, Brittany, for the post, and for your desire to step up and engage as both a college student and a citizen!
The report discusses the leadership of the movement, the perspective of citizens, and ways in which the movement can continue to grow and succeed. I encourage you to check out the report. Following this week’s webinar, I will be sharing my own thoughts, and look forward to hearing yours. You can read the report here.
The report discusses the leadership of the movement, the perspective of citizens, and ways in which the movement can continue to grow and succeed. I encourage you to check out the report. Following this week’s webinar, I will be sharing my own thoughts, and look forward to hearing yours. You can read the report here.
