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First-Year Student Engagement: Using Constitution Day to Promote Civic Participation

First-Year Student Engagement: Using Constitution Day to Promote Civic Participation. Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience February 2013 Rachelle L. Darabi , Ph.D. Missouri State University Keisha L. Hoerrner , Ph.D. Kennesaw State University.

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First-Year Student Engagement: Using Constitution Day to Promote Civic Participation

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  1. First-Year Student Engagement: Using Constitution Day to Promote Civic Participation Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience February 2013 Rachelle L. Darabi, Ph.D. Missouri State University Keisha L. Hoerrner, Ph.D. Kennesaw State University

  2. “… [H]igher education can serve … as one of the defining sites for learning and practicing democratic and civic responsibilities.” (p. 2)“It is time to make education for democracy a core quality commitment, clearly and explicitly. We , therefore, call on policy and educational leaders responsible for quality at all levels to ensure institutional commitment, capacity, and effectiveness in preparing students as knowledgeable citizens ready to contribute to a democratic and globally engaged polity.” (p. 34)“Colleges and universities need to expand education for democracy so it reaches all students in ever more challenging ways.” (p. 69)Excerpts from A Crucible Moment: College Learning & Democracy’s Future (2012) published by the Association of American Colleges & Universities

  3. Teaching Democratic Engagement • “I believe that teaching the skills and perspectives needed for real participation in a democratic society is one of the most revolutionary tasks that an educator … can undertake. It is only through such education that we can hope to create a truly just society….” Dr. Lisa D. Delpit, Mays Chair for Urban Educational Leadership, Georgia State University (Quoted in Teaching for Social Justice, 1998, p. 51)

  4. Examples of Civic Engagement – in the form of Constitution Day/Week – at Two Campuses • Missouri State University • Kennesaw State University

  5. From the United States Senate website: “To encourage all Americans to learn more about the Constitution, Congress in 1956 established Constitution Week, to begin each year on September 17th, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Convention signed the Constitution. In 2004, Senator Byrd of West Virginia included key provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2005 designating September 17th of each year as Constitution Day and requiring public schools and governmental offices to provide educational programs to promote a better understanding of the Constitution.”(http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/ConstitutionDay.htm)

  6. Public Affairs Mission • Cultural Competence • Community Engagement • Ethical Leadership • Publicaffairs.missouristate.edu

  7. Yearly Public Affairs Theme • 2006/07 One World: Many Voices • 2007/08 Seeking Solutions: Conflict, Violence, and the Courage to Change • 2008/09 Sustainability • 2009/10 Evolving Economic Realities • 2010/11 Leading in a Global Society • 2011/12 Culture of Connectivity • 2012/13 Inclusive Excellence • 2013/14 Global Perspectives: Why It Matters

  8. GEP 101: First Year Foundations (target audience for Public Affairs week) • 2 credit hours • 1 credit hour dedicated to Public Affairs • Integration of Global Challenges Initiative (ADP) • 30 sections of GEP 101 with Integrated Service Learning • 16 sections in Curricular Learning Communities • 8 sections college or department specific

  9. Public Affairs Week • Public Affairs Week (Fall Semester, Student Led) • Constitution Day: Giving Voice • Diversity Voices Troupe • Hunger Banquet • iAm the First • Reframing Disability • Funky Freedom Festival • International Dialogue Engaging All (IDEA) • Women’s Expo: The Power of Pink • Diversity Landmarks • iCount - Voter Registration Drive

  10. Giving Voice Theatre Troupe Constitution Day: Giving Voice 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., PSU 313 Giving Voice to Constitution Day is an event designed to educate and empower the campus community as to their rights and freedoms provided to them by the United States Constitution. The Giving Voice Theatre Troupe will perform, and all attendees will be given a pocket Constitution.

  11. Constitution Week at KSU • Planned and implemented by American Democracy Project (co-chairs in First-Year Programs and University College) • Primary audience is first-year students but open to everyone on campus • Activities for an entire week to reach large commuter population

  12. Constitution Week at KSU • Past events have included a calligraphy presentation by Dean of Admissions; visits by former Mayor Shirley Franklin (Atlanta); and Constitution trivia (with free pocket Constitutions provided to audience and participants) • Opportunities to work collaboratively with groups across campus like Student Life

  13. 2012 Constitution Week • Focus on political participation and issues in upcoming national election • Congress to Campus event: “Millennials Engaging: The Importance of Participation in the Political Process” • Rep. Nancy Boyda (D- KS) • Rep. Sue Kelly (R – NY) • Concord Coalition’s budget simulation • 75 KSU 1111 (globally focused first-year seminar) students • Previewed material from the Coalition • Worked in small groups to develop a federal budget • Every team cut trillions in 75 minutes

  14. 2012 Constitution Week • “Justice for All: Understanding the Role of the Judiciary” • Carol Hunstein, Presiding Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court • Direct tie to common reader • “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” by Dr. Michael Sandel • Judges elected in Georgia • Non-partisan elections • Full auditorium with lively Q&A • No honorarium or travel expenses

  15. What Do You Do on Your Campus? • How do you celebrate Constitution Day/Week? • Co-curricular activities that promote civic and political engagement? • Extracurricular activities that promote engagement? • Explicit inclusion of first-year students?

  16. Resources for Next Steps • AAC&U’s “A Crucible Moment” • www/aacu.org/civic_learning/crucible/ • AASCU’s American Democracy Project & community colleges’ The Democracy Commitment • www/aascu.org/adp • NASPA’s Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement • http://www.naspa.org/clde/default.cfm • Citizen Alum • www.citizenalum.org

  17. Presenters • Dr. Rachelle L. Darabi Associate Provost, Student Development and Public Affairs Missouri State University rdarabi@missouristate.edu 417-836-5034 • Dr. Keisha L. Hoerrner Associate Dean, University College Kennesaw State University khoerrne@kennesaw.edu 770-499-3222

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