What is a citizen?
What makes you a citizen? Is it more than a birthright? iCitizenForum spoke with educators Terrence Guay, Penn State University; Mike Hartoonian, University of Minnesota; Jim Davis, Social Science Education Consortium; and Ted Green, Webster University, to hear their thoughts on citizenship. Are you a citizen? Find out.
Student republicans speak out
Watch Ethan Eilon, the executive director of the College Republican National Committee, in Part II of our exploration of youth involvement in the political process. See Part I on student democrats speak out.
Outside the Voting Booth
The start of the presidential conventions means the race to the November election is heading into the final turn. Are voters more interested or less apathetic than in past contests for the White House? Why? How big a factor will the youth vote be in this election? Do rising gas prices, the falling dollar, and the stagnant economy make a difference in who you support for president? Will the war in Iraq help you decide who gets your vote this year? How big an issue is health care to you in this election? Is the two-party system still effective?
Student democrats speak out at George Washington University
iCitizenForum explores youth engagement in the political process. In Part I of a two-part series, we talk with Tanya Choudhury, president of The George Washington University chapter of College Democrats. See Part II on student republicans speak out.
Flag Day Naturalization Ceremony - Part 1
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation welcomed nearly 100 new citizens during the inaugural Flag Day Naturalization Ceremony Saturday, June 14 on Courthouse Green in Williamsburg, Va. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Department co-sponsored the event.
Enlightened Citizenship and Divisive Argument
“Enlightened citizen” is redundant; a citizen understands the aesthetics of issues, according to Mike Hartoonian, University of Minnesota. Find out what he, Terrence Guay, Penn State University, and Jim Davis, Social Science Education Consortium, have to say about debate, democracy, and citizenship.
Election 2008 -- A Change in Politics
The votes are counted and the Barack Obama is president-elect. What are your thoughts about the historic 2008 election? Start a dialogue here about the changes that Americans, and the world, now face.
Getting Involved in the Political Process
A student at the College of William and Mary, Matt Beato ran for city council in Williamsburg, Va., in 2008. Certainly younger than “an average” candidate, Matt decided that the local city government could be more effective if it accurately represented all of its constituencies. It turns out Matt didn’t win the election, but he thinks he made a statement for young people in Williamsburg.
Young People as an Active Generation
Are young people better or worse citizens than other generations? Professor Ted Green, Webster University, says in general, younger people today haven’t been as vocal as earlier generations. Until now, that is. Green says the Internet has brought a growing acceptance of new ideas and of vocal protest and young people today are media savvy and eager to share their ideas. What do you think? Are young people more outspoken about citizenship?
A Nonpartisan Appeal to Vote
“So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times…We may make these times better if we bestir ourselves.”—Benjamin Franklin
“Revolutionize through the ballot-box, and restore the government once more to the affection and hearts of men, by making it express, as it was intended to do, the highest spirit of justice and liberty.”—Abraham Lincoln
