In 2016, a study by the Annenberg Institute of Public Policy found that Americans’ knowledge of the branches of government is on the decline. The Civics team at The Bay School School of San Francisco seeks to reverse this trend by deepening students’ understanding of our political system, the government’s role in American life, and by preparing students for meaningful civic engagement and political participation. Throughout this project-based course, students explore fundamental questions of democracy including: 

 

• How do citizens effectively engage in civil discourse in the midst of dissonance? 

• What role should the government play in the lives of its citizens? 

• What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens? 

• How do citizens make informed decisions about political candidates and public policy?  

• How can citizens influence and take part in the political process? 

 

The course aims to give students the tools to responsibly formulate and revise civic ideas and ideals for the rest of their lives. To better understand how democracy in America functions in the context of real-world problems, students tackle a current issue of their choice: reproductive justice, climate change, gun violence, homelessness, health care, and criminal justice reform. As part of that process, students engage in extensive field work wherein they interview a range of stakeholders, attend local events, and engage with community partners. Drawing on these models, they complete a “Direct Action” assignment to practice how to effect change through a chosen tactic.

Ultimately, students work in teams to synthesize their research findings and field work into a podcast that interweaves different perspectives with the goal of encouraging their audience to effect social change.