Bipartisan Bill Would Require Civics Course for College Students in New Jersey
“will more adequately equip individuals with the knowledge necessary to make informed civic decisions and ensure a globally-aware and socially-responsible citizenry”
This should be required in every state. It’s amazing how many people graduate college with no knowledge of basic civics.
Campus Reform reports:
Bipartisan bill would require civics course for NJ college students
A bipartisan effort to require civics courses in public colleges and universities is making its way through the New Jersey legislature.
If passed, the bill would require all “degree-seeking students” who are enrolled at a public institution to take a course on “American government and civic engagement.” The new requirement would take effect in the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year and must be satisfied by graduation.
The text of the bill is short and passed through the Senate Higher Education Committee with amendments in a 4-1 vote. The bill now awaits introduction in the General Assembly.
“By requiring students to receive instruction on American government and civic engagement, public institutions of higher education in the State will more adequately equip individuals with the knowledge necessary to make informed civic decisions and ensure a globally-aware and socially-responsible citizenry,” the bill mandates.
Additionally, the text acknowledges that college serves as an introductory time in a student’s life toward taking an active role in public policy and affairs. It reasons that students aged 18-24 are often taking their first steps as active political participants by casting their first votes on local, state, and national issues, therefore making it vital to increase education on “the fundamental principles and values of American democracy and citizenship[.]”
By expanding civics requirements, the bill aims to provide a pathway for young voters to make informed decisions on community and national issues.
S857 was introduced in January by Majority Whip Senator Troy Singleton (D). Senator Sandra Cunningham (D) joins the effort as an additional primary sponsor, while Senator Jean Stanfield (R) signed on as a cosponsor.
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Comments
Who gets to write/approve the course materials?
Who gets to write/approve the course materials? And will they include a basic study of the Founding?
“This should be required in every state. It’s amazing how many people graduate college with no knowledge of basic civics.”
I’m sorry, this misses the barn.
I’m so old I remember when students learned civics in grade school. And maybe high school.
College is way too late. Of course, these days, students get into college without already knowing how to read, write, spell, or balance their checkbooks.
The solution should be to impart age-appropriate knowledge at the proper age, not to impose yet another remedial course on the incompetent. These people have no business in college. They have no business holding a high-school diploma.
As a resident of Communist-controlled NJ, I would seriously question what exactly is going to be taught in this course. I would surely want to see the finer details before I would celebrate this idea.
The phrase “socially responsible” is concerning. I suspect the Social Justice Warriors already have a curriculum in mind.