Discussion Group: How to Raise a Citizen – Pine Ridge Presbyterian

PAST EVENT

An APS Discussion Group event with Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It).

In her book, Lindsey Cormack speaks directly to an America in which civic knowledge is alarmingly sparse and many people dread politics. It’s a tool for parents, educators, and anyone eager to fill this gap. Cormack offers an engaging and practical approach to discussing political issues and the inner workings of the U.S. government with children. She explains why our schools can no longer be the sites of civic education that they used to be and provides adults with strategies and necessary know-how to be able to impart these lessons to children. From the intricacies of the voting process to the foundational principles of democracy and the significance of key government documents like the Constitution, the author demystifies complex topics with clarity and insight.

American Public Square joined Resurrection United Methodist Church and Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church to host these important Discussion Group events.

Interested in reading the book ahead of the event? 

Contact your local bookseller or use this link for Amazon orders: How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It): Amazon

A recording of the September 16 event with author Lindsey Cormack is available below, courtesy of Resurrection United Methodist Church.

With special thanks to the host sites of these Discussion Groups.

Lindsey Cormack is an associate professor of Political Science and Director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. Her first book, Congress and U.S. Veterans: From the GI Bill to the VA Crisis investigates the differences between legislative efforts and lip service paid to veterans by members of the US Congress. Her second book, How to Raise a Citizen & Why it’s Up to You to Do It, aims to reinvigorate multigenerational political discussion and governmental know-how after examining the somewhat dire state of civic education in the United States.

She earned her PhD in Government from New York University and is raising a daughter on the Upper East Side. She currently serves as the Secretary for Community Board 8 in Manhattan.

Her research has been published in Political Behavior, Congress & the Presidency, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Political Science Research and Methods, American Politics Research, Politics & Policy, Politics Groups & Identities, Politics & Gender, The Journal of Gender Studies, Energy Economics, The Legislative Scholar as well as in popular outlets including the New York Times, The Washington Post, FiveThirtyEight, ProPublica, Roll Call, The New York Post, NBC News, the LSE USCentre, and The Hill, and more.

She created and maintains the digital database of all official Congress-to-constituent e-newsletters in the DCinbox Project.

Lindsey Cormack’s book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It), speaks directly to an America in which civic knowledge is alarmingly sparse and many people dread politics. It’s a tool for parents, educators, and anyone eager to fill this gap. In the book, Cormack offers an engaging and practical approach to discussing political issues and the inner workings of the U.S. government with children. She explains why our schools can no longer be the sites of civic education that they used to be and provides adults with strategies and necessary know-how to be able to impart these lessons to children.

From the intricacies of the voting process to the foundational principles of democracy and the significance of key government documents like the Constitution, the author demystifies complex topics with clarity and insight. You’ll also find:

• Data about the current state of the American citizenry, our educational approaches to civics, and the risks of civic disengagement
• A framework for starting important political discussions at home
• Comprehensive explanations of American federalism and how different branches of government are responsible for different functions
• Strategies for navigating federal, state, and local elections

Tricia Maxfield is Civics Education Initiative Program Manager.  A lifelong learner, Tricia graduated from Kansas State University followed by the University of Kansas School of Law. After living abroad and returning home to Kansas City, Tricia sought ways to give back to her community and country, which inspired her to earn a MEd and certification in middle school social studies, from Rockhurst University. Before joining APS, Tricia taught 7th and 8th grade social studies. Her passion for fostering critical thinking, civics engagement and media literacy skills for young people will come to life through APS’ Civics Education Initiative. Tricia was born and raised in Kansas.

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