Constitution Day: Building Civic Literacy

National Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: Understanding the Importance of Civic Education 

The United States Constitution was signed by the delegates of the constitutional convention on September 17, 1787.  Ratified and put into effect in 1789, it is the oldest, functioning written constitution in the world.  All federal and state officials are required to take an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. To satisfy the requirements for naturalization, all new citizens must pass a citizenship test which tests their knowledge of its contents and the functioning of the U.S. political system.  In 2004, Senator Robert Byrd (WV) sponsored legislation to mandate a National Constitution and Citizenship Day to encourage all citizens to reflect upon and learn about the the foundation of our constitutional system of government. 

Basic civic literacy is arguably the cornerstone of a healthy, functioning democracy. Our system of representative government is predicated upon an active and informed citizenry.  Unfortunately, while the value of civic knowledge receives considerable lip service, the quality of civic education in the United States can be viewed as lacking. A recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that only 26% of people could correctly identify all three branches of government; 33% could not name a single one. Americans' low level of political knowledge has been much lamented and is a popular subject for late-night comedy shows which feature respondents who are unable to answer basic questions about political and current events. But the lack of civic knowledge is really no laughing matter.

For "we the people" to play an active role in shaping the system, laws, and structure of the society in which we live, we must first and foremost understand the system, its rules and processes and the history and events which led to its development. For "we the people" to exercise an informed voice, we must have familiarity with the the range of actors who exercise power in the policy making environment. Knowledge, as they say, is power.  

It is the mission of the History and Political Science Department to promote civic literacy and to empower our students in their role as citizens. To that end, we have honored Constitution Day and Citizenship Day through a broad range of activities, including educational programming, nonpartisan voter registration efforts, and the assessment and promotion of civic knowledge.  This year, student representatives of the Pre-Law Student Association (PLSA) and History and Government Clubs (H&G Club) handed out free copies of the U.S. Constitution, assisted with voter registration, and administered a quiz for students to test their knowledge of the Constitution. 

82 Students took our Constitution Day Quiz. This was a non-random sampling comprised of students who were willing to take a pop-quiz motivated by a free mini-constitution and a chance to win one of three $10 Amazon Gift Cards.

Members of the Pre-Law Student Association (PLSA) and History & Government Club staffed

a Constitution Day Table, assisting with voter registration and handing out

 free mini-constitutions and prizes for students taking the Constitution Day Quiz.

The results of our quiz were somewhat mixed. 

On the basics of separation of powers, 94% of respondents correctly identified the president as the head of the executive branch. Daemen students also did well with recalling specific details (fill-in-the-blank). 73% correctly indicated the length of the term of U.S. Senators is 6 years; 61% correctly identified the number of electoral College votes necessary to win the presidency as 270 and the number of times the Constitution has been amended as 27.  Just over half, however, correctly identified declaration of war as one of the enumerated powers assigned to Congress.

Less than 30% could answer a basic question about the constitutional process of impeachment (specifically, that it is the U.S. Senate which tries impeachment cases).  And almost half (49%) believed that Congress has the authority to revise the constitution by a simple majority vote in both chambers. (In actuality, an amendment requires two-thirds approval by both Houses of Congress followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states--a very demanding threshold).  And only 28% knew that when no candidate receives 270 electoral college votes, the selection of the president falls to the U.S. House of Representatives.  

So while our students were proficient on some of the basics, their understanding of more in-depth constitutional processes was lacking, suggesting that there is more work to be done.

For now, many students left happy with a shiny copy of the U.S. Constitution. And three students were the lucky winners of our raffle: Carly Hardick, Bryon Anglade, and Darcy Paradiso. Congratulations!

Happy Constitution Day!

The Pre-Law Student Association and History and Government Club Celebrate Constitution Day

September 17, 2017 is national Constitution and Citizenship Day, commemorating the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.  The Constitution achieved ratification in June, 1788 having received the required approval of 9 of the 13 States (U.S. Constitution, Article 7). Consisting of 7 original articles and clocking in at just over 7,500 words, the Constitution has been amended just 27 times in the last 226 years. It is a document of extraordinary legitimacy and longevity. On this day, all citizens are encouraged to reflect upon our shared constitutional history and values, and to reaffirm our shared commitment to participating as an active, informed citizen in a representative democracy.   

To honor this day, the History and Political Science Department and affiliated student organizations, have offered a wide-range of constitutional day activities, programming, and events.  This year, we are inviting students, faculty, and staff to test their knowledge of the Constitution by taking a quick Constitution Day Quiz.  Stop by our table in the Wick Center Lobby on Monday, September 18 (from 11:00 - 1:00) and enter your quiz results for a chance to win one of three gift cards (raffle to be conducted the following week).  

We will also be giving away free pocket-sized Constitutions, a booklet containing the texts of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution, along with fun facts and historical tidbits on the founding documents.  

We will also have voter registration forms on hands and will assist anyone looking to register to vote.  (We'll even take care of the postage for you). 

Focusing on Constitutional Reform

Upcoming Talk: "Responding to Constitutional Imperfections: The Theory and Practice of Constitutional Amendment Throughout the United States."

On Tuesday, September 12 at 7.30 pm, Dr. Parshall, Associate Professor of Political Science, will participate in a Constitution Day Panel sponsored by the Canisius College Raichle Pre-Law Center and the Bar Association of Erie County.

The panel will examine how constitutions in the United States—federal and state—are subject to amendment. The history of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the infrequency of amendments following the Bill of Rights, and recent efforts by state legislatures to convene a federal constitutional convention will be discussed. We will also present an overview of the various ways that state constitutions can be amended, such as through ballot initiative and legislative amendments. Given that the question of whether to hold a convention to revise the New York State Constitution will be on the ballot this November, there will be a focus on the methods by which the New York Constitution can be revised, and the reasons why voters have rejected calls for a constitutional convention in the past. The political obstacles to constitutional amendments, and the role of the legal community in helping voters navigate the competing narratives attending the process will also be considered.

Speakers will include:
Christopher Bopst, chief legal and financial officer, Sam-Son Logistics
Professor James Gardner, University at Buffalo Law School
Lisa Parshall, PhD, associate professor of Political Science, Daemen College
Robert A. Klump, director of the Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center, will serve as moderator.

Event Details 

Responding to Constitutional Imperfections: The Theory and Practice of Constitutional Amendment throughout the United States 

Tuesday, September 12, 2017 ~ 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Canisius College, Grupp Fireside Lounge, Richard E. Winter Student Center 

1.5 CLE credits: Areas of Professional Practice (Appropriate for all attorneys): For Information see here at the Erie County Bar Association Website. 

Daemen College Students should identify themselves at the door for free admission (Please bring your student ID). 

Celebrating Constitution Day

The History and Government Club and the Pre-Law Student Association (PLSA) are celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day!

September 17th, marks the 225th Anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.  Be sure to stop by the student clubs' table at the 2014 Campus Fair in the Wick Lobby on September 18th from 11:00-1:00 to receive a free pocket-sized Constitution, to register to vote, and for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Daemen College bookstore when you complete a mini-citizenship test. 

Our constitutional rights and liberties, including the right to vote and the right to free political expression, are precious. The celebration of Constitution Day is a great reminder not to take these rights for granted.

Be an Active and Informed Citizen. Register to Vote.  

Student Clubs--organizational meetings!

The History & Political Science Department is home to three student clubs--join us to plan activities for the year at our organizational meetings (keep reading for more information!).
 

H&G Club visits Old Fort Niagara in Spring 2014

• The History & Government Club and the Pre-Law Student Association will be holding a joint organizational meeting on Tuesday, September 16, from 11:30 until 12:30 in DS235. We will be electing club officers and planning activities. Students from all majors are welcome to join both clubs.

• The AAUW Student Club will hold a joint organizational meeting on Friday, September 12, from 11:30 to 12:00 in DS218. We will also be electing club officers and planning activities. The club is open to students from all majors.

Q: Which club should I join?

Members of the History & Government Club share a common interest in history and politics. In the past, this club has organized trips to historic sites (nearby and distant), sponsored events on campus, and met to socialize over shared interests.
The Pre-Law Student Association includes members who are interested in politics and law. The club's signature event is the Moot Court Experience at Academic Festival, but in past years the club has also sponsored events on campus (voter registration drive! Constitution Day activities!) and off campus.
The newly forming American Association of University Women (AAUW) Student Club focuses on gender equity, educational access for women and girls, and women's empowerment.

If you are interested but cannot make it to the meeting, please contact club advisors:

• Pre-Law Student Association: Dr. Lisa Parshall ( lparshal@daemen.edu )
• History & Government Club: Dr. Penny Messinger ( pmessing@daemen.edu) or Dr. Aakriti Tandon ( atandon@daemen.edu ) 
• AAUW Club: Dr. Penny Messinger (pmessing@daemen.edu)

H&G Club and PLSA host a party to watch election results in Nov 2012