Description

This civics textbook equips students with the practical and historical knowledge every American needs to be an engaged citizen. It highlights the purpose of the Constitution, the structure of America’s government and economic system, the role of American diplomacy, expressions of patriotism, and an introduction to American parties and politics.

Reason For Teaching

This textbook is the core text for the course. It details the process as well as the principles of citizenship.

Disclaimer

This book is only available in digital format. However, many families print it for use in this class.

Some students may prefer owning a copy of the Constitution that includes the Declaration of Independence.

Some students may prefer owning a copy of the Constitution that includes the Declaration of Independence.

Description

Johnny Tremain is an old-school Disney film based on the classic book of the same name. It follows the adventures of a teenage boy in Boston at the time of the Boston Tea Party and the opening of the Revolutionary War.

Reason For Teaching

This film showcases various motives for the founders of our country. While entertaining, it also delves into the key ideas of what it means to be a patriot, what are rights, and what the founding fathers fought for.

Description

12 Angry Men is a classic film dealing with the justice system in the United States. It centers on a court case in which a young man is accused of murder. The jury jumps to conclusions, but one juror starts asking questions to dig in and find true justice.

Reason For Teaching

This film delves into human nature, the concept of “innocent until proven guilty,” and the responsibilities of citizens in the American justice system.

Description

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a classic film dealing with patriotism, corruption, and what it means to stand up for truth even in the face of harsh opposition and lies.

Reason For Teaching

This film holds up an example of an incorruptible man who longs to serve his country. The film highlights some important principles of civics, some high points of Senate procedure, and the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it might carry a heavy cost.

Description

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic film set in segregated America. While the subject matter of the film is very serious (a racially charged rape case), it is seen through the innocent eyes of a child. She is living in tumultuous times, and her father, a true hero of justice and mercy, fights fiercely to protect her childlike innocence. She may not understand the details of everything that is happening, but she learns deeply important lessons from her father, who is an archetype of an honorable lawyer, civil rights hero, and believer in the American Dream.

Reason For Teaching

This film is based on the classic American novel of the same name. Both the film and the book have had a profound impact on countless people, teaching them about true justice, empathy, and standing on principle even if it means that people will hate you for it. The themes of the film strike to the core of what it means to love others as yourself and apply that love to issues of the day.

Disclaimer

This film touches on serious content including racism, rape, and murder. Set in the segregationist South, it presents terms like “negro” and situations that reflect the mood of the people at the time. The rape trial is the setting for the legal case, but it is carefully crafted to be comfortable for 1960s parents, as this was considered a family film. Violence and murder are a part of the story, but once again, it is carefully crafted to be sensitive to the fears and imaginations of children. This tastefully educational film deals with the darkness of this world, but also shines a light amidst that darkness.

Description

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band is a musical film set about a generation after the American Civil War. It centers around a family that is split in different ways: Between Republicans and Democrats, people who supported the South and the North, and people who want to split the Dakota Territory into two new states and those who want to keep it as one state. The family members love each other deeply, but learn how to demonstrate love while also disagreeing over politics.

Reason For Teaching

This film depicts an era in American history when the Electoral College becomes key in determining the election between Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland. It deals with themes like standing on principle without being mean, developing humility, and determining when and where it is appropriate to engage in political debate.

Description

Hotel Rwanda is a film set in conflict-ridden Rwanda in a time of great turmoil. It is based on the true story of a hotel manager who uses his connections both in Rwanda and in Europe to protect and save hundreds of lives in the midst of genocide. It is a story of resolve, rising above the circumstances, and becoming a hero, even when you do not feel like you are a hero.

Reason For Teaching

This film highlights the importance of standing on principle, the impact foreign policy has on the lives of real people, and the problems with relying on the United Nations.

Disclaimer

This film deals with the Rwandan genocide. While it is not explicit in its depictions of violence, it is a very heavy topic and is not for everyone. Students should obtain parental approval for this PG-13 rated film. It is not required for course completion, and there is an alternative reading that can be substituted instead.