Government

Why does Government matter?

One of the primary reasons our nation’s founders envisioned a vast public education system was to prepare youth to be active participants in our system of self-government. The responsibilities of each citizen were assumed to go far beyond casting a vote; protecting the common good would require developing students’ critical thinking and debate skills, along with strong civic virtues.

Blind devotion to the state or its leaders would never be enough. Rather, being American was something to be learned and carried out.

(Forgotten Purpose: Civics Education in Public Schools - Amanda Litvinov)

How will taking Government help you as a student?

Government reinforces the skills you have developed in previous Social Studies courses: writing, speaking, debating, ACT/SAT Prep, test taking skills, and inquiry.

A 2019 poll identified that almost half of Americans find it difficult to know if the information they encountered is true (Tavernise & Gardiner 2019). If young people are not prepared to critically evaluate the information that bombards them online, they are apt to be duped by false claims and misleading arguments. A full semester will equip you with the time and opportunity needed to develop the life skills needed to navigate the digital world we all live in.