About Civic Literacy

Civic Literacy: ISCV Publications and Discussion Guides

1. Civic Literacy: ISCV Publications

   • NetActivism: How Citizens Use the Internet- On September 24, 1996, O'Reilly and Associates released NetActivism: How Citizens Use the Internet", by ISCV President Ed Schwartz. A step-by-step guide for citizens who want to use email and the World Wide Web as tools for political empowerment, NetActivismalso sets forth the basic strategy for neighborhood empowerment that has guided the Institute over the past twenty years.

   • On Teaching Democratic Ideals,, Ed Schwartz-- An article that discusses how to use civic values as a framework for examing political issues in America.

   • The Case for Political Education, Ed Schwartz-An article that calls for a fundamental reconstruction of civic education in America.

2. Civic Literacy: ISCV Online Discussion Guides and Resources

   • Civic Ideals and Modern Institutions-A study guide that examines how we can work to fulfill America's historic ideals through existing institutions.

   • Building Community in the American Tradition -A discussion guide for use by neighborhood leaders and activists that applies principles of the Preamble to the Constitution to the problem of building community in America today.

   • Social Contract Project Discussion Guide A discussion guide for neighborhood leaders and activists to develop social contracts with government and the private sector for broad-based neighborhood improvement.

   • Social Contract Discussion Guide (Adobe Download)

   • Youth Rap:Youth Civic Education Project ISCV project developing new courses, after-school programs, and a summer program helping young people address the neighborhood problems and issues that affect them.

   • Welfare Reform The Institute's online resource guide exploring the issues related to welfare reform.

Civic and Political Education Online

1. K-12 Civic Education

   • Civnet: Organization Promoting Civic Education
   • Online Resources for Students and Teachers
   • Civnet: Links to Civic Education Organizations
   • Civic Education Funding
   • Center for Civic Education
   • You the People: Civic Education Program
   • Social Studies Teachers Online Resources
   • Florida Civic Ed.
   • Urban Education Web

2. Adult Civic and Political Education

   • National Endowment for the Humanities
   • Study Circles Resource Center
   • Czarnecki's Labor Education Links
   • Community Learning Centers
   • National Issues Forums

Media, Telecommunications and Civic Literacy

1. Media and Civic Literacy

   • Media Literacy Online
   • Newslink--Comprehensive Link to Newspapers and Media
   • Alternative 'Big' List of Internet News Sourches
   • National Public Radio

2. Telecommunications and Civic Literacy

   • The Center for Civic Networking
   • The Morino Institute
   • Electronic Frontier Foundation
   • Red Rock Network Observor
   • Voters' Telecommunications Watch
   • Electronic Privacy Information Center
   • Universal Access to Media: Rand Corporation Study
   • 21st Century Project, University of Texas at Austin, Gary Chapman, (science, technology, and civic values)

Public Policy and Civic Literacy

1. Public Policy Issues

   • Project VoteSmart: Issues Information (comprehensive)
   • Civic Practices Network
   • Web Sites for Political Speeches
   • Frank Conte's Public Policy Compendium
   • League of Women Voters

2. Liberal Journals and Public Policy Organizations

   • Electronic Policy Network: Policy Papers and Articles on Major Issues
   • The Brookings Institution
   • Web Active: Comprehensive Organizational, Cause Links
   • The American Prospect (liberal policy journal)
   • Mother Jones
   • The Nation

3. Conservative Journals and Public Policy Organizations

   • Town Hall: Online Conservative Portal
   • The Heritage Foundation
   • Empower America
   • The National Review
   • Family Research Council
   • Constitution Society (Links to Wide Range of Theoretical, Policy Documents)
   • Libertarians on the World Wide Web

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