 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
|
Democracy in America is a unique 15-part course for high school teachers that combines video, print, and Web resources to provide a deeper understanding of the principles and workings of American democracy. By combining compelling video stories of individuals interacting with American government, theoretical discussions of the meaning of democracy, and problem-solving, hands-on exercises, the course gives life to the workings of American democracy. This course is being offered at a time of great optimism. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the promising successes of new democracies in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and South Africa all point to the triumph of liberal democracy. Still, in the aftermath of these great advances, there is reason for profound concern. Never has the democratic ideal been so ascendant and yet so precarious. Americans still believe that democracy is the worthiest form of government and they take great pride in the U.S. Constitution. Nevertheless, less than half the eligible citizens vote in even presidential elections, and a majority of Americans distrust their government. Disengagement from political and civic life seems to be increasing, particularly among the young. There is a growing consensus that American civic life is in need of serious repair. At the root of this disinterest is a lack of basic knowledge concerning political affairs on the part of Americans, particularly among the young. This lack of basic knowledge has several consequences. Knowledge of government and civic life is certainly a precondition to participation. It is also clear that those who fail to understand basic democratic norms will not support them. Moreover, the more people know about their government, the more faith they express in the American system. In the final analysis then, the breadth and depth of political knowledge is vital for the survival of our constitutional democracy. What Alexis de Tocqueville called the "habits of the heart, the temperament that informs the democratic ethos" are not inherited. Each generation must pass to the next the knowledge and skills required to sustain a constitutional democracy. Democracy in America is designed to aid in the repair of American civic life by providing teachers with greater knowledge and skills. The course provides thorough understanding of the theory and practice of American democracy and provides teachers with supplementary information to take back to the classroom. But Democracy in America is not simply an advanced description of American government, it is a creation intended to encourage civic engagement by providing teachers with ideas for turning students into active learners. Throughout the course, the emphasis is placed on the role of individuals in American democracy. While stressing the basic elements of American government, the course works within the larger theme that, in a democracy, individuals matter. Recognizing that democracy is not inevitable, the materials are intended to demonstrate that the workings of a democratic government require an active and engaged citizenry. Moreover, the course demonstrates that citizens can and do make a difference. The videos, for instance, do more than discuss the need for an active citizenry, they feature citizens in action. This Web site and the course guide contain a variety of classroom activities designed to interest and engage students. Democracy in America, then, is intended to help teachers pass on Tocqueville's "habits of the heart."
Course Components [Top] Democracy in America includes 15 half-hour videos (with three stories per video), the guide with readings included, and this Web site, which contains a downloadable PDF of the guide and reader plus a series of interactive exercises.
The Video Programs Through 15 half-hour videos, Democracy in America takes the teacher through the essentials of American government — ranging from a discussion of the nature of a constitutional democracy to the role of America in the world. The videos feature individuals actively engaged in civic and political life. Viewing the videos gives course participants a direct experience with American government in action. You can watch the video programs online. You can also purchase the videos. The 15 programs are:
2. The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?: Our Constitution inspires reverence among many, but there has always been tension over how it should be interpreted. As a blueprint for government, it is also clear that the Constitution creates a government that fractures power and invites frequent struggle between the various institutions of government. Differing views on the death penalty, conflict between Congress and the president, and the long struggle for suffrage illustrate how the Constitution continues to shape the workings of modern American government. 3. Federalism: U.S. v. the States: Using three different disputes over the appropriate locus of power in three different policy areas, Unit 3 illustrates the complexity of the federal structure. Whether the national government or the states should have power over a policy area remains, as these stories demonstrate, an important and enduring debate. 4. Civil Liberties: Safeguarding the Individual: Although we define ourselves as a free people and prize liberty, several other values we hold dearly pose at least potential threats to the exercise of our liberties. Rather than viewing constitutional rights as absolute guarantees, the Supreme Court has, as the stories in this unit demonstrate, attempted to balance the conflicting interests of society. 5. Civil Rights: Demanding Equality: Civil rights, the equal treatment of people, would seem axiomatic in a nation that cherishes the promise of the Declaration of Independence. Yet equality has, as the stories show, often been honored in the abstract and denied in reality. 6. Legislatures: Laying Down the Law: This unit emphasizes the representative roles played by American legislators. Although legislatures are the primary mechanisms of popular sovereignty in the United States, they are often criticized as ineffective. The stories in this unit explore the complex conception of representation and the often contradictory expectations placed on legislators. 7. The Modern Presidency: Tools of Power: Although the presidency offers a range of formal powers, modern presidents grapple with the inherent limitations of the office and often have difficulty fulfilling public expectations. The three stories in this unit illustrate the ways in which modern presidents attempt to exercise and even expand their formal authority. 8. Bureaucracy: A Controversial Necessity: Criticisms of governmental bureaucracy are easy to find and while this unit does not ignore the problems inherent in bureaucratic organizations, the video stories provide illustrations that promote critical thinking, not jingoistic responses. The stories provide examples of bureaucratic activities and asks the viewer to evaluate the performance. 9. The Courts: Our Rule of Law: Central to American democracy is a commitment to the rule of law, but that commitment places a great deal of power in the hands of judges. In this unit, the stories illustrate the complexity of the U.S. judicial systems and questions how much power courts should have. The stories also raise the issue of what constitutes an independent judiciary. 10. Understanding Media: The Inside Story: A free press is, as this unit's video demonstrates, essential to a democracy. Nevertheless, the important mediating role played by the media requires an informed, media-savvy public. The stories presented here describe how news is defined by the media and explains why public officials and journalists are highly interdependent. 11. Public Opinion: Voice of the People: What role should public opinion play in American politics? How do we identify public opinion? Each of the stories in this program raise these questions by focusing on a public official or political leader confronted with the problem of determining public opinion. 12. Political Parties: Mobilizing Agents: Although often maligned, political parties play a vital role in connecting the American public and political decision-makers. How the parties serve as a mechanism for recruiting leaders is examined here in a case study of a young political leader. The stories in this unit also demonstrate the ways in which political parties develop particular policies and organize decision-making bodies. 13. Elections: The Maintenance of Democracy: Do elections really matter? If so, why do so many Americans fail to vote? Using two different elections, the video illustrates the workings of political campaigns and their efforts to mobilize voters. A third story focuses on efforts to encourage young people to exercise their right to vote. 14. Interest Groups: Organizing To Influence: Interest groups, sometimes referred to as special interests, are often portrayed as the province of the rich and powerful. As the case studies presented here demonstrate, however, there are groups organized to represent most interests. Moreover, the tactics and strategies used by groups are as various as the interests they represent. 15. Global Politics: USA and the World: With the end of the Cold War and the dramatic increase of global interaction, American foreign policy has entered a period of transition. These case studies explore the use of the American military for non-combat duties and the utilization of trade policy as a foreign policy tool. One story also illustrates the relationship between nations and one of the many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that play an increasingly important role in the world.
The Guide and Reader The guide provides in-depth discussions and analysis of the issues raised by the videos. Integrated into the guide are classic readings that expand on the subject of each unit. The guide and reader includes:
Preparation For First Session [Top]
Homework Read the following Readings from Unit 1 to prepare for next week's session.
Read Unit 1's Topic Overview.
Key Contributors [Top]
Course Developers The Educational Film Center: The Educational Film Center (EFC) has for more than 30 years been responsible for the successful management of over 300 media projects, including over 600 television productions, interactive multimedia, and Web design. Key to the success of EFC's projects has been the commitment to a collaboratively close working relationship between production and academic personnel. George Mason University: The chair and faculty of the Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University and a number of outstanding scholars and educators with specific experience in civic education were brought together for Democracy in America. Carney Interactive: Carney Interactive is EFC's Web design collaborator, led by its creative director, John Low, who was trained at EFC. Since its inception in 1994, Carney has designed, built, and managed the development of over 150 custom eLearning products. These include innovative web-based and CD-ROM training applications, educational programs designed with multiple language capability, Web site design, and touch-screen kiosk systems. Carney Interactive's client list includes AOL/Time Warner, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), Arthur Andersen, Drexel University, FAA, FBI, GE, Goldman Sachs, Lucent, NASA, NATO, New York Institute of Finance, US Treasury Dept., U.S. Marine Corp, VIPdesk.com, WorldCom, and Xerox.
Course Funding Funding for this program is provided by Annenberg Media to advance excellent teaching. For information about this and other Annenberg Media programs, call 1-800-LEARNER or visit www.learner.org.
Project Personnel Advisory Board Scott Keeter, Chair of Board, Dept. of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University and Associate Director, Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Marvin Awbrey, Former President, California Council for the Social Studies and Past Chair, NCSS Social Studies Administrators Committee Denee J. Mattioli, President, NCSS Board and Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, East Tennessee State University Gail Leftwich, President, Federation of State Humanities Councils, Virginia and Board of Trustees, National History Day Alan Rosenthal, Professor of Government, Rutgers University Diane Hart, Co-Chair, NCSS Task Force on Civic Education Sheilah Mann, Director of Educational Affairs, American Political Science Association Debra Henzey, Executive Director, Civic Education Consortium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Tim Hudenburg, Teacher of Social Studies, Westfield High School, Fairfax County, Virginia
Production Team Project Director: Stephen L. Rabin, President of the Educational Film Center since 1983, is responsible for management of production, development, and financing of its programs. Under his direction, EFC has created and produced a number of telecourses, teacher training, and workshop series and several hundred television specials, series, and videos. Stephen Rabin served as the overall project manager, a function he fulfills for all EFC Projects Director of Content: Robert L. Dudley is Chair,
Department of Public and Co-Executive Producers: Ira H. Klugerman and Ruth Pollak, EFC Vice Presidents for Production and for Projects, shared responsibility for supervision of all media production for Democracy in America. As members of the core project team, they served as the direct liaison with all content personnel and the members of the Board of Advisors, attended all staff meetings, hired and supervised the producers and other production personnel, managed schedules and budgets, and took responsibility for all production and post production. They were also responsible for the creative supervision of all production elements- the video programs, interactive Web site, and print materials. Director of Evaluation: Barbara Flagg |
 |
|
Home | Video Catalog | About
Us | Search | Contact
Us | Site Map | Tweet | © Annenberg Foundation 2012. All rights reserved. Legal Policy. |
