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Book Title: Civic Discourse in the Classroom: A Faculty Guide

by Angela M. McGowan-Kirsch, PhD

Cover image for Civic Discourse in the Classroom: A Faculty Guide

Book Description: Prepare your students for meaningful participation in democratic life. This guide offers readings, activities, and tools to embed civic discourse into any college course.

License:
Creative Commons Attribution

Contents

Book Information

Book Description

Welcome, and thank you for visiting this Civic Discourse Faculty Resource! As highlighted by Chancellor John B. King Jr. in the January 7, 2025, press release, SUNY is introducing a new civic discourse competency to help students demonstrate the skills necessary to participate thoughtfully in civic life, including reasoned inquiry, ethical advocacy, constructive dissent, and meaningful dialogue.

This book was created to support faculty in integrating civic discourse into the classroom, providing practical strategies, examples, and exercises that can be adapted across disciplines. It explores how to facilitate respectful debate, foster critical thinking, and guide students in engaging with complex social, political, and ethical issues. While designed for SUNY faculty, the approaches and insights in this resource are relevant to educators worldwide who aim to prepare students to engage as informed, responsible citizens.

By combining evidence-based pedagogical practices with real-world applications, this resource helps instructors create inclusive, engaging, and reflective learning environments where civic discourse is not just taught but experienced.

Authors

Angela M. McGowan-Kirsch, PhD

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Civic Discourse in the Classroom: A Faculty Guide Copyright © 2026 by Angela M. McGowan-Kirsch is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Subject

Civics and citizenship

Metadata

Title
Civic Discourse in the Classroom: A Faculty Guide
Authors
Angela M. McGowan-Kirsch, PhD
License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Civic Discourse in the Classroom: A Faculty Guide Copyright © 2026 by Angela M. McGowan-Kirsch is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Book cover image: © Lori Deemer, used with permission.

Primary Subject
Civics and citizenship
Institution
SUNY at Fredonia