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Center for Civics Education
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham
Director, Center for Civics Education
949-214-3200
[email protected]
Becoming America: How We Gained and Secured Freedom and Self Government is an eighteen-part lecture series delivered and live-streamed at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Hosted by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and co-sponsored by the Center for Civics Education at Concordia University Irvine, the series covers the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and remaining seventeen Amendments.
America’s story began more than 400 years ago with firm support from the King of England. Less than two centuries later, appeals to ancient English rights were actually used against English rule and a new country was born – free and independent. America’s story is your story - it is your inheritance.
Sep
13
“From London to Jamestown and the Roots of American Discontent” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Sep 13, 2022 6:00PM
Watch Here
20
“The Die is Cast: The Declaration of Independence” – Lisa Matthews
Tue, Sep 20, 2022 6:00PM
27
“The Articles of Confederation: Disunity in the Union” – Volker Janssen Ph. D.
Tue, Sep 27, 2022 6:00PM
Oct
4
“A New Constitution for a More Perfect Union” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Oct 4, 2022 6:00PM
11
“Ratifying the New Constitution: Why Did Patriot Pat Henry Oppose Ratification?” - Bryan Santin Ph. D.
Tue, Oct 11, 2022 6:00PM
18
“The First Congress: Inventing a New Government” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Oct 18, 2022 6:00PM
The Constitution is more than a symbol – it is “the Supreme Law of the Land!” It puts “We the People” in charge. That’s us! Are you prepared to play your part?
Nov
1
“The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land…Until it Isn’t” - Lisa Matthews
Tue, Nov 1, 2022 6:00PM
8
“Congress: The ‘First Branch of Government” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Nov 8, 2022 6:00PM
15
“Congress: It Can Do This, But Not That!” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Nov 15, 2022 6:00PM
22
“The Presidency…and the President” – Robert Robinson Ph. D.
Tue, Nov 22, 2022 6:00PM
29
“The President and All the President’s Men” – Bryan Santin Ph. D.
Tue, Nov 29, 2022 6:00PM
Dec
6
“The Judges and the Constitution: Do They Really Have the Last Word?” – Volker Janssen Ph. D.
Tue, Dec 6, 2022 6:00PM
More than 11,500 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed, but only twenty-seven have been ratified. One was even rescinded! But they protect your freedoms of speech and religion, trial by a jury, voting rights and even how we elect the President. If they changed the Constitution, you need to know why.
Jan
17
“No Bill of Rights - No Constitution! – Did It Matter?”– Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Jan 17, 2023 6:00PM
24
“The First Amendment: Our Freedoms to Speak, Assemble, Print and Petition the Government” – Robert Robinson Ph. D.
Tue, Jan 24, 2023 6:00PM
31
“The First Amendment: Our Freedom to Worship, or Not” – Bryan Santin Ph. D.
Tue, Jan 31, 2023 6:00PM
Feb
7
“A Bunch of Other Amendments, But They Count!” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Feb 7, 2023 6:00PM
21
“At Long Last and Great Sacrifice: The Civil War Amendments”– Volker Janssen Ph. D.
Tue, Feb 21, 2023 6:00PM
28
“Amendment Mania: Expansion of Rights (and One Repeal!)” – Jo Ellen Chatham Ph. D.
Tue, Feb 28, 2023 6:00PM
For more information, please contact the Director:
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham Director, Center for Civics Education [email protected] 949-214-3200