Civics Module

Overview

The Civics Module is another special module (like the Research Project Module). In Washington state, high school students are required to complete a course on Civics in order to graduate. This added Module addresses the Legislature’s civics requirements for high school students earning both high school and college credit for this American Government course.

The Civics Module is generally introduced in Week 8 in conjunction with the topic of Voting and Political Participation, but can be brought in earlier in the quarter, as well.  The following is an overview of the Module’s content and related learning activities:

  WHY A MODULE ON CIVICS?

Why study Civics?

Well, first, it is now required by state law. And second, it prepares you to be an informed citizen who has a basic understanding of how government works in a democracy and the important role citizens play in making sure it works well.

Civics Education for Washington High School Students – Required by Law

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), has implemented requirements passed by the state legislature for teaching civics to high school students. All local school district are required to provide that instruction by choosing materials they deem appropriate, with one exception: Tribal Sovereignty must be taught using materials developed by OSPI. Generally, school districts must teach Civics as a one-half credit stand-alone course. However, it may also be embedded in an existing social studies course if that course provides both high school and post-secondary education. This course does just that.
https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/graduation/graduation-requirements/credit-requirements/civic-educationLinks to an external site.

What is Civics?

Civics is the study of our tribal, local, state and national governments, constitutions, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Topics include democracy and other forms of government; legislative, executive, and judicial functions; the political process; and foreign and domestic policies. It also includes a summary of Washington State History and local native sovereignty. POLS&202, American Government (this course), covers most of these “civics” topics. However it generally does not cover Washington state and tribal governments to a significant extent (or the federal Naturalization test), so this Module Civics has been added to address these additional topics. The readings and exercises in this Module provide only a basic introduction to these topics.

What the law says. “The legislature finds that effective civics education teaches students how to be active, informed, and engaged citizens.” Findings, WA State Legislature, Chp. 127, 2018. Under RCW 28A.230.094Links to an external site., high school civics education must include the following:

“(a) Federal, state, tribal, and local government organization and procedures;
(b) Rights and responsibilities of citizens addressed in the Washington state and United States Constitutions;
c) Current issues addressed at each level of government;
(d) Electoral issues, including elections, ballot measures, initiatives, and referenda;
(e) The study and completion of the civics component of the federally administered naturalization test* required of persons seeking to become naturalized United States citizens; and
(f) The importance in a free society of living the basic values and character traits specified in RCW 28A.150.211Links to an external site.”

What YOU can do next.

Read the “READ” assignments in this Module. Then, there are 4 REQUIRED assignments, 25 points each = 100 points total!). You can complete these assignments at your own pace, as long as they are submitted by the end of the quarter. (NO extensions!).

Classroom Lessons and Activities

ASSIGNED READING:

Origins of Washington state government

These chapters are assigned from the free, online OER book The State We’re In: Washington – a guide to tribal, state and local governments, 8th edition.

Chapter 5 – Governing Washington Today
Chapter 7 – Local Government: Counties, Cities, Towns, and Special Districts

Tribal Sovereignty

Chapter 6 – Tribal Governments Today

Assignments

C-1 How to Register to Vote in WA

C -2 Wash St Legisl how to participate

C-3 Tribal governments in WA

C-4 Naturalization and the Citizenship Test

Additional Resources

Other resources and documents used in class for this Module, including a link to the Washington state constitution, a Washington state government organization chart and a comparison of federal, state, local and tribal governments, are in the Appendix.