Civil Discourse: An American Legacy Toolkit

To elevate and normalize best practices of civil dialogue – rooted in the practice of the framers of the U.S. Constitution – the Center for Civic Education, with funding from Annenberg Public Policy Center* and in partnership with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in Maryland, has created Civil Discourse: An American Legacy Toolkit, containing short podcasts, excerpts from key historical documents, discussion questions, and a dialogue model guide with recorded demonstrations.

This toolkit promotes the use of civil dialogue in lifelong, adult learners by expanding upon our extensive digital resources and expertise in online education. Programs on and tools for civil discourse enable participants to face challenging conversations, welcome divergent viewpoints, and encourage solutions that take diversity of stakeholders into account. Through integration of primary source documents, this toolkit  also deepens participants’ knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and democracy.

Take a quick trip to learn about the roots of representative government, limited government, and separation of powers. What is the distinction between a republic and a democracy? This exploration lays the groundwork for rich dialogues on government power and American democratic values in action now and over time.

How far have women’s rights come and how much further do we need to go? Explore seminal events, cases, and texts such as the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, Minor v. Happersett (1875), Roe v. Wade (1973), Dobbs v. Jackson (2022), and the Equal Rights Amendment. Prepare to engage in discourse around what needs to be done to secure women’s equal rights once and for all.