Discussion Group: How to Raise a Citizen

JOIN US! Thursday, September 12 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian in the Northland OR Monday, September 16 at Resurrection Leawood

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 joins Resurrection United Methodist Church and Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church to host these important Discussion Group events. Two dates and two locations give you options to join this one important conversation!

Interested in reading the book ahead of the event? 

Contact your local bookseller or use this link for Amazon preorders ahead of the August 13^th release date: How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It): Amazon

We will also have some books available for purchase at the event.  Whether you buy a book ahead of the event, at the event or at all, we saved time for Lindsey to sign books and talk with attendees!

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

Health Forward Foundation

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Offices at Park 39

Sue Seidler Nerman and Lewis Nerman

Marny and John Sherman

William Jewell College