60-Second Civics[RSS]

Friday, November 20	Daily civics quiz
Facebook RSS Feed Twitter	What did the English law of primogeniture require? a. That land be handed down to eldest sons b. That a person own land as a qualification for voting c. That land be handed over to the monarch after the death of the owner ------ Listen to today's podcast

60-Second Civics is a daily podcast that provides a quick and convenient way for listeners to learn about our nation’s government, the Constitution, and our history. The podcast explores themes related to civics and government, the constitutional issues behind the headlines, and the people and ideas that formed our nation’s history and government.

60-Second Civics is produced by the Center for Civic Education. The show's content is primarily derived from the Center’s education for democracy curricula, including We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution, Project Citizen, Foundations of Democracy, and Elements of Democracy.

Music for 60-Second Civics is provided by Music Alley from Mevio.com. The song featured on the podcast is Cheryl B. Engelhardt's "Complacent Pretending." Terms of use can be found here.
 

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60-Second Civics: Episode 153, English practices in America [Play] Today we discuss we discuss how some English practices that protected the landed aristocracy in Great Britain did not survive in the colonies. 60-Second Civics: Episode 152, Colonial prosperity [Play] On today's episode, we discuss how some colonial Americans achieved prosperity in the New World. 60-Second Civics: Episode 151, Mayflower Compact, Part 2 [Play] Today we present the excerpted text of the Mayflower Compact. 60-Second Civics: Episode 150, Mayflower Compact, Part 1 [Play] Today we discuss the Mayflower Compact. 60-Second Civics: Episode 149, Early American settlement [Play] In today's episode, we discuss the situation in America in the early 1600s. 60-Second Civics: Episode 148, American colonies [Play] On the podcast today, we begin our discussion of how basic ideas of constitutional government were developed and used in the American colonies. 60-Second Civics: Episode 147, English Bill of Rights, Part 2 [Play] Today we continue our discussion of the English Bill of Rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 146, English Bill of Rights, Part 1 [Play] In today's episode, we discuss the English Bill of Rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 145, Glorious Revolution of 1688 [Play] Today we discuss the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the events leading up to the English Bill of Rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 144, Writ of habeas corpus [Play] On today's podcast, we discuss the writ of habeas corpus in Britain. 60-Second Civics: Episode 143, English Civil War [Play] Today we discuss the events that led to the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679. 60-Second Civics: Episode 142, Petition of Right, Part 3 [Play] On today's episode, we discuss the characteristics of the Petition of Right of 1628. 60-Second Civics: Episode 141, Petition of Right, Part 2 [Play] Today we discuss the events that led to the Petition of Right of 1628. 60-Second Civics: Episode 140, Petition of Right, Part 1 [Play] On the podcast today, we discuss the clash between Parliament and the English monarchy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 139, The British constitution: Foundational documents [Play] Today we identify the three historical documents important in the development of the British constitution and the rights of the British people. 60-Second Civics: Episode 138, The British constitution [Play] On today's episode, we discuss the British constitution. 60-Second Civics: Episode 137, Magna Carta, Part 7 [Play] Today we explore the Magna Carta as a source of constitutional principles. 60-Second Civics: Episode 136, Magna Carta, Part 6 [Play] Today we discuss government by agreement or contract as a principle of the Magna Carta. 60-Second Civics: Episode 135, Magna Carta, Part 5 [Play] On the podcast today, we discuss basic rights as a principle of the Magna Carta. 60-Second Civics: Episode 134, Magna Carta, Part 4 [Play] On today's episode, we discuss how the Magna Carta contained the principle of the supremacy of the law. 60-Second Civics: Episode 133, Magna Carta, Part 3 [Play] Today we examine the Magna Carta and the rule of law. 60-Second Civics: Episode 132, Magna Carta, Part 2 [Play] We continue our discussion of the Magna Carta on today's podcast. 60-Second Civics: Episode 131, Magna Carta, Part 1 [Play] Today we discuss the events leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta. 60-Second Civics: Episode 130, Rights of Englishmen, Part 2 [Play] Today we continue our discussion of the rights of Englishmen. 60-Second Civics: Episode 129, Rights of Englishmen, Part 1 [Play] On the podcast today, we discuss the rights of Englishmen. 60-Second Civics: Episode 128, Stare decisis, Part 2 [Play] Today we continue our discussion of stare decisis. 60-Second Civics: Episode 127, Stare decisis, Part 1 [Play] Today we explore the development of stare decisis in the English common law system. 60-Second Civics: Episode 126, English common law [Play] On today's episode, we discuss the development of English common law. 60-Second Civics: Episode 125, English Parliament, Part 3 [Play] Today we discuss how Parliament proved to be effective for both the English king and his subjects. 60-Second Civics: Episode 124, English Parliament, Part 2 [Play] In today's episode, we discuss King Edward the First's Model Parliament. 60-Second Civics: Episode 123, English Parliament, Part 1 [Play] In today's podcast, we discuss the origins of the English parliament and royal court. 60-Second Civics: Episode 122, Norman conquest [Play] Today we examine how the Norman conquest changed English government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 121, England after the Romans [Play] Today we discuss the origins of English government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 120, British origins of American constitutionalism [Play] In today's episode, we begin our discussion of the British origins of American constitutionalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 119, The Enlightenment, Part 4 [Play] In today's podcast, we examine James Madison's idea of the "new science of politics." 60-Second Civics: Episode 118, The Enlightenment, Part 3 [Play] Today we continue our discussion of the Enlightenment. 60-Second Civics: Episode 117, The Enlightenment, Part 2 [Play] On the podcast today, we continue our discussion of the Enlightenment and discuss philosopher Francis Bacon. 60-Second Civics: Episode 116, The Enlightenment, Part 1 [Play] In today's episode, we begin our discussion of the Enlightenment. 60-Second Civics: Episode 115, Rise of capitalism, Part 3 [Play] Today we examine two influences on capitalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 114, Rise of capitalism, Part 2 [Play] Today we learn about how capitalism empowered a new class of citizens. 60-Second Civics: Episode 113, Rise of capitalism, Part 1 [Play] On the podcast today, we learn about the rise of capitalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 112, Rise of the nation-state, Part 2 [Play] Today we discuss nation-states and ideas about government and rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 111, Rise of the nation-state, Part 1 [Play] In today's episode, we discuss the rise of the nation-state. 60-Second Civics: Episode 110, The Reformation, Part 5 [Play] Today we discuss the origin of American Puritans. 60-Second Civics: Episode 109, The Reformation, Part 4 [Play] In today's episode, we learn about how the Reformation contributed to the development of modern individualism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 108, The Reformation, Part 3 [Play] Today we look at how the invention of the printing press aided the Reformation and encouraged freedom of conscience. 60-Second Civics: Episode 107, The Reformation, Part 2 [Play] Today we examine the roots of the Protestant Reformation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 106, The Reformation, Part 1 [Play] Today we begin our examination of the Protestant Reformation and its contribution to ideas about rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 105, The Rennaisance, Part 2 [Play] On the podcast today, we continue our discussion of the Renaissance and its contributions to ideas about rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 104, The Rennaisance, Part 1 [Play] Today we begin our discussion of the Renaissance and how it contributed to ideas about rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 103, Medieval and classical republican similarities [Play] In today's podcast, we explore the similarities between medieval and classical republican ideas about society and government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 102, Feudalism, Part 3 [Play] Today we examine the final two of four essential ideas of feudalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 101, Feudalism, Part 2 [Play] Today we discuss the first two of four essential ideas of feudalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 100, Feudalism, Part 1 [Play] Today we examine feudalism in medieval society. 60-Second Civics: Episode 99, The Church in the Middle Ages [Play] On today's podcast: how the Church came to be a powerful force in Europe during the Middle Ages. 60-Second Civics: Episode 98, The Judeo-Christian tradition, Part 2 [Play] Today we discuss how the Christian view of the individual influenced the Founders. 60-Second Civics: Episode 97, The Judeo-Christian tradition, Part 1 [Play] Today we examine how Judeo-Christian tradition influenced the political ideas of the Founders. 60-Second Civics: Episode 96, Natural rights philosophy: Human equality [Play] Today we examine human equality as an aspect of natural rights philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 95, Natural rights philosophy: Limited government [Play] Today we discuss limited government as an aspect of natural rights philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 94, Natural rights philosophy: Popular sovereignty and government by consent [Play] Today we discuss popular sovereignty and government by consent as aspects of natural rights philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 93, Natural rights philosophy: Individual rights [Play] On the show today, we discuss individual rights as an aspect of natural rights philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 92, Natural rights philosophy: John Locke [Play] In today's podcast, we discuss the philosophy of John Locke. 60-Second Civics: Episode 91, Natural rights philosophy: Thomas Hobbes [Play] Today we discuss the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. 60-Second Civics: Episode 90, Natural rights philosophy: Influence on Founders [Play] On today's episode, we examine the values from natural rights philosophy that influenced the founding generation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 89, Natural rights philosophy [Play] On the show today, natural rights philosophy and the state of nature. 60-Second Civics: Episode 88, Divine right [Play] In today's podcast, we discuss the role of philosophy in government and examine the divine right of kings. 60-Second Civics: Episode 87, Moral education, Part 2 [Play] Today we examine moral education in colonial America. 60-Second Civics: Episode 86, Moral education, Part 1 [Play] On today's episode we discuss moral education as an aspect of classical republicanism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 85, Cincinnatus and Washington as examples of civic virtue [Play] On today's show: Cincinnatus and Washington as examples of civic virtue. 60-Second Civics: Episode 84, Citizenship and civic virtue in classical republicanism [Play] In today's podcast, we learn about citizenship and civic virtue in classical republicanism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 83, Small communities in classical republicanism [Play] Today we examine small, uniform communities as an influential aspect of classical republicanism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 82, Classical republicanism and the common good [Play] Today's podcast examines the devotion of citizens to the common good as a central feature of classical republicanism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 81, The Roman Republic as example and warning [Play] On the show today we discuss how the history of the Roman Republic was both an example and a warning to America's founding generation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 80, Influence of the Roman Republic [Play] On the podcast today: the influence of the Roman Republic. 60-Second Civics: Episode 79, A problem of constitutional government [Play] Today we discuss the central problem of constitutional governments. 60-Second Civics: Episode 78, Constitution as higher law [Play] In today's episode, we discuss how a constitution acts as a higher law. 60-Second Civics: Episode 77, Constitutionalism: Limited government [Play] We compare limited and unlimited government in today's episode. 60-Second Civics: Episode 76, Constitutionalism: Written vs. unwritten constitutions [Play] In today's episode, we examine written and unwritten constitutions. 60-Second Civics: Episode 75, Constitutionalism: Defining constitution [Play] On today's podcast, a definition of the meaning of the term "constitution." 60-Second Civics: Episode 74, The Founders choose republican government [Play] Today we discuss why the Founders preferred republican government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 73, Republican government [Play] On today's podcast, we discuss republican government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 72, Mixed constitutions: The English system [Play] In today's episode, we discuss the English system as an example of a mixed constitution. 60-Second Civics: Episode 71, Mixed constitutions: Polybius and Cicero [Play] Today we discuss how the idea of a mixed constitution became a part of republicanism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 70, Aristotle: Mixed constitutions [Play] In today's podcast, we examine Aristotle's ideas about mixed constitutions. 60-Second Civics: Episode 69, Aristotle: Democracy [Play] Today we discuss Aristotle's description of democracy as an example of a corrupt form of government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 68, Aristotle: Polity [Play] Today we discuss Aristotle's conception of the polity as a right form of government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 67, Aristotle: The forms of government [Play] Today we examine Aristotle's concept of the forms of government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 66, Aristotle: Three functions of the state [Play] In today's episode, we explore Aristotle's notion of the three functions of the state. 60-Second Civics: Episode 65, Two lessons about government [Play] Today we learn about the two important lessons the Founders learned about government from their study of history and philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 65, Two lessons about government [Play] Today we learn about the two important lessons the Founders learned about government from their study of history and philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 64, Lessons from British and American history [Play] In today's podcast, we examine the lessons the Founders drew from British history and from American colonial history. 60-Second Civics: Episode 63, Greeks, Romans, and natural rights [Play] In today's episode, we learn about the lessons the Founders drew from Greek and Roman political history, and from natural rights philosophy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 62, Influences on the Founders [Play] Today examine how the Founders' knowledge and experiences informed their approach to governance. 60-Second Civics: Episode 61, Philosophical and historical traditions [Play] Today we begin our discussion of the important philosophical ideas and historical events that influenced the writing of the Constitution. 60-Second Civics: Episode 60, National Conference of State Legislatures [Play] Today we conclude our discussion of American federalism by learning about the National Conference of State Legislatures. 60-Second Civics: Episode 59, Referendum and recall [Play] In today's episode, we examine how referendum and recall works in the states. 60-Second Civics: Episode 58, Initiatives [Play] Today we learn how the initiative process is conducted in the states. 60-Second Civics: Episode 57, States as laboratories of democracy [Play] In today's episode, we discuss how the states act as testing grounds for democracy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 56, Grants-in-aid: Education policy [Play] Today we discuss federal grants-in-aid and education policy. 60-Second Civics: Episode 55, Grants-in-aid: Growing influence [Play] Today we discuss the growing influence of federal grants-in-aid. 60-Second Civics: Episode 54, Grants-in-aid: The Great Depression [Play] In today's episode, we discuss how grants-in-aid came to be used during the Great Depression. 60-Second Civics: Episode 53, Grants-in-aid [Play] In today's episode, we discuss how grant-in-aid programs have affected American federalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 52, Regulation of drugs [Play] Today we learn how the Supreme Court reasserted the power of Congress to regulate the interstate market in drugs. 60-Second Civics: Episode 51, Regulation of commerce [Play] In today's episode, we discuss the conflict between Congress and the states over regulation of commerce. 60-Second Civics: Episode 50, Federalism in practice [Play] Today we begin our discussion of how American federalism works in practice. 60-Second Civics: Episode 49, State constitutional amendments [Play] Today we learn about state constitutional amendments. 60-Second Civics: Episode 48, Changing state constitutions [Play] In today's episode, we examine how state constitutions have changed over the years. 60-Second Civics: Episode 47, Special districts [Play] Today we discuss special districts. 60-Second Civics: Episode 46, Municipalities [Play] In today's episode, we discuss municipalities. 60-Second Civics: Episode 45, Local governments [Play] Today we discuss the creation of local governments. 60-Second Civics: Episode 44, Judicial branch of state government [Play] In today's episode, we discuss the judicial branch of state government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 43, Executive branch of state government [Play] We examine the executive branch of state government in today's episode. 60-Second Civics: Episode 42, State legislatures [Play] Today we discuss the legislative branch of state government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 40, Supremacy of federal law [Play] In today's podcast, we discuss the supremacy of federal law. 60-Second Civics: Episode 41, State constitutions [Play] In today's episode, we discuss state constitutions and bills of rights. 60-Second Civics: Episode 39, State governing powers [Play] In today's episode, we discuss governing powers left to the states by the Constitution. 60-Second Civics: Episode 38, Constitution prohibits certain state [Play] Today we discuss state governing powers prohibited by the Constitution. 60-Second Civics: Episode 37, States and the federal government [Play] In today's podcast, we discuss the discuss the role of states in the national government. 60-Second Civics: Episode 36, Role of states in the federal system [Play] Today we discuss the history of the role of states in the American system. 60-Second Civics: Episode 35, Federalism [Play] In today's episode, we begin our discussion of the American system of federalism. 60-Second Civics: Episode 34, Questions and closing statements during congressional hearings [Play] Today we conclude our discussion of congressional hearings by examining the questioning of witnesses and closing statements. 60-Second Civics: Episode 33, Witness procedures during congressional hearings [Play] Today we discuss witness procedures and strategies during congressional hearings. 60-Second Civics: Episode 32, Opening statements in congressional hearings [Play] Today we learn about the role of opening statements in congressional hearings. 60-Second Civics: Episode 31, Witness testimony in congressional hearings [Play] Today we learn about written and spoken testimony by witnesses in congressional hearings. 60-Second Civics: Episode 30, Congressional hearing witnesses [Play] Today we learn about the role of witnesses in a congressional hearing. 60-Second Civics: Episode 29, An overview of congressional hearings [Play] Today we outline the six steps of a congressional hearing. 60-Second Civics: Episode 28, Congressional hearings, Part 1 [Play] Today we discuss congressional hearings, an essential part of the process of appointing a Supreme Court nominee. 60-Second Civics: Episode 27, Congress and the power of the Supreme Court [Play] Today we discuss the ability of Congress to check the power of the Supreme Court. 60-Second Civics: Episode 26, Executive enforcement of Supreme Court decisions [Play] Today we discuss executive enforcement of Supreme Court decisions as a check on the power of the Court. 60-Second Civics: Episode 25, Presidential appointments and the Supreme Court [Play] Today we discuss presidential appointments as a check on the power of the Supreme Court. 60-Second Civics: Episode 24, Self-imposed limits on the Supreme Court [Play] Today we discuss self-imposed limits, one of several checks on the power of the Supreme Court. 60-Second Civics: Episode 23, Constitutional interpretation: instrumentalism [Play] Today we examine instrumentalism, the final of four common methods of constitutional interpretation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 22, Constitutional interpretation: fundamental principles [Play] Today we examine fundamental principles, the third of four common methods of constitutional interpretation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 21, Constitutional interpretation: original intent [Play] Today we examine original intent, the second of four common methods of constitutional interpretation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 20, Constitutional interpretation: textualism [Play] Today we examine textualism, the first of four common methods of constitutional interpretation. 60-Second Civics: Episode 19, Written opinions [Play] Today we explain the Supreme Court's practice of issuing written opinions. 60-Second Civics: Episode 18, Declining Supreme Court caseload [Play] Today we examine how the number of cases the Supreme Court decides has changed in recent years. 60-Second Civics: Episode 17, Writs of certiorari [Play] Today we discuss how the Supreme Court decides to hear a case. 60-Second Civics: Episode 16, Appellate jurisdiction [Play] Today we examine the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction. 60-Second Civics: Episode 15, Original jurisdiction [Play] Today we examine discuss the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. 60-Second Civics: Episode 14, Role of the Supreme Court [Play] Today we examine the role of the Supreme Court in the American constitutional system. 60-Second Civics: Episode13, Arguments against judicial review [Play] Today we examine some of the arguments against judicial review. 60-Second Civics: Episode10, Judicial review [Play] Today we examine the power of judicial review. 60-Second Civics: Episode 9, Characteristics of the federal judiciary [Play] Today we examine some of the characteristics of the federal judiciary. 60-Second Civics: Episode 8, The creation of the judicial branch [Play] To provide context to the upcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings for nominee Sonia Sotomayor, over the next few weeks 60-Second Civics will be examining the judicial branch of the United ... 60-Second Civics: Episode 7, George Washington and slavery [Play] Today we discuss how George Washington reconciled being a slaveholder with his leadership of a nation dedicated to freedom for all. 60-Second Civics: Episode 6, George Washington and political parties (June 26, 2009) [Play] In today's episode, we discuss how George Washington influenced the development of political parties. 60-Second Civics: Episode 5, George Washington and executive branch authority [Play] Today we discuss how George Washington's actions established the authority of the presidency. 60-Second Civics: Episode 4, George Washington and the executive branch [Play] Today we discuss how George Washington's administration shaped the executive branch. 60-Second Civics: Episode 3, George Washington and ratification of the Constitution [Play] Today we discuss George Washington's role during the Constitutional Convention and the debates over ratification. 60-Second Civics: Episode 2, George Washington and civilian control of the military [Play] Today, in celebration of Father's Day, we discuss how the man often called the father of our country, George Washington, established the principle that the military is subordinate to civilian ... 60-Second Civics: Episode 1, What is 60-Second Civics? [Play] In this episode, host Kaci Patterson introduces 60-Second Civics, the Center for Civic Education's new daily podcast about civics and government.