Civic Season

Immigration: Has America always wanted 'your poor, your tired, your huddled masses'? “
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | State Historical Museum of Iowa, IA, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress asks, “has America always wanted ‘your poor, your tired, your huddled masses’? “
Immigration is as old as human history. People move from one place to another for many reasons. When migration occurs across a national border, it is called immigration. When relocation happens within the same country, it is termed emigration. Historians often attribute the movement to “push-pull” factors. Sometimes conditions at home become so dangerous or challenging that people are forced to move elsewhere. Wars, famines, economic issues or political oppression are often “push” factors encouraging people to seek safety or better conditions somewhere else. Sometimes opportunities in a new land attract newcomers. Cheap and fertile farmlands in the United States lured hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the latter 19th century. Political and religious freedom, good jobs and educational opportunities “pulled” many to America to seek a fresh start in the states.
You’ll reflect on the following questions:
How have laws regulating immigration changed over time?
How have responses and support for immigrants and refugees evolved over time?
How have attitudes or viewpoints about immigration changed over time?

Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | Fourth Wall Films, United States
Why did the turtle cross the road? Better yet, HOW can a turtle cross a busy highway safely? Collisions between wildlife and automobiles are expensive, dangerous, and deadly for animals and people. “Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings” explores old and new methods that allow animals to move over or under our nation’s highways in search of food, shelter, and companionship. The stories behind two innovative and effective crossings for endangered turtles in Iowa and Wisconsin are featured, and the film makes a compelling case for the construction of wildlife crossings while it encourages motorists to do their part by minding “animal crossing” signs.

Engaging Differences - Key Principles and Best Practices
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | National Institute for Civil Discourse, United States
Want to move our country towards a more perfect union? Start with engaging in conversations across differences to find common ground. This document provides several key principles and best practices that are essential to connecting across divides, including:

Empathy instead of vitriol
Listening for Understanding instead of hearing to overpower
Humility instead of all-knowing.

As you read them, consider reflecting on those that speak to you, or recall a compelling personal experience.

Around the World with World101
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | World101 from the Council on Foreign Relations, United States
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, World101 is celebrating #CivicsSeason with a TikTok trip around the world!
Make your way to World101’s TikTok channel and follow us before Tuesday, June 14th when we will be wheels up on our 193-part TikTok series, exploring all the countries that comprise this interconnected world we share. It’s our way of showcasing #GlobalCivics and why understanding the forces, actors, and history that shape modern global affairs is an essential part of twenty-first century citizenship.
For curious first-time fliers, World101’s TikTok channel is home to hundreds of fun, fact-checked micro-lessons about the world and how it works. Our viral video posts are remixes of World101, an award-winning learning platform from the Council on Foreign Relations that uses multimedia and jargon-free language to introduce students of all ages to the fundamentals of foreign policy and international relations.

Reform Movements in America
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress, asks how can citizens of a country affect change for the common good? The French commentator on American society in the 1830s, Alexis de Toqueville, observed that Americans are very quick to join together to promote whatever causes they favor, and there was certainly evidence around him. Reforms on many issues — temperance, abolition, prison reform, women’s rights, missionary work in the West — fomented groups dedicated to social improvements.
Students will reflect on the following questions:
What factors motivated antebellum reformers to take action?
What were the common strategies antebellum reformers used?
What did antebellum reformers achieve?

Refugees in America
2099-01-01 00:00 UTC | State Historical Museum of Iowa, United States
A resource developed in partnership with the Library of Congress, asks should the United States accept refugees?
Since its earliest days as part of the United States, Iowa has a long history of being a destination for those from other countries to find a new home. Such newcomers are called immigrants. A special class of those are people fleeing wars, persecution or other dangers from their former homes. These immigrants are termed “refugees.” Like the larger class of immigrants, Iowa has confronted both the challenges and opportunities of accepting new arrivals as permanent residents
Students will reflect on the following questions:
How has America helped refugees in the past?
What has been Americans’ attitude towards refugees?
What are the possible risks associated with helping refugees?

Rep Ep 5: Tell The Truth, Truth
2099-01-01 00:00 (Pacific/Niue) | At Your Service Imprint, United States
Do we even need representation? What does “telling the truth” actually mean and why do we do it? Does objectivity exist? Can our biases work in our favor? These questions have come up over and over again throughout the journey of Rep, and in this chapter, we face them head on.
Our story guides include comedian and actor Hasan Minhaj, journalist Aymann Ismail, writer Najma Sharif and others.
