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Institute Educates Students, Educators on Value of Civics and Economics

Social science students at Florida State University and teachers of social sciences from around the state had the opportunity to participate in the university’s first Institute for Civic and Economic Education, funded in part by grants from the Florida Council for the Social Studies (FCSS) and the Gus A. Stavros Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Economic Education at FSU.

Coordinated by the institute’s director, Leisa Martin, assistant professor of social science education in FSU’s College of Education, the institute was composed of three sessions discussing the relationship between civics and the understanding of economics, demonstrating ways to teach the content, and providing supplementary materials for teachers and university students for use in their current and future social science classrooms. Along with Martin, Jim Gwartney, director of the Stavros Center, and Joseph Calhoun, assistant director of the Stavros Center, served as session presenters for the 77 participants.

“I am deeply appreciative for the financial support from the Florida Council for the Social Studies Endowment Fund Grant and the Stavros Center,” Martin said. “Without their support, this institute would not have been possible.”

Martin received a $1000 grant from FCSS to support the institute and a line of her research focused on the history and teaching of the United States Pledge of Allegiance. Her presentation at the March 3 event was the byproduct of that research, which produced a journal article titled “Examining the Pledge of Allegiance,” which is currently in press, with publication anticipated in the journal The Social Studies. The article, which was distributed at the session, explores the meaning of the pledge and its role in American History.

The Stavros Center provided matching funds of $600 that supported Martin’s research and the cost of several copies of the book Common Sense Economics. Co-authored by Gwartney, the book has been translated into 15 languages. Gwartney says the content was intended to make economics interesting for everyone. The books were given to attendees in a prize drawing following the presentations.

In addition to serving as director of the Stavros Center, Gwartney is also professor of economics at FSU and the Gus A. Stavros Eminent Scholar Chair. He served as chief economist of the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress in 1999-2000. He is the co-author of numerous articles and books, including Economics: Private and Public Choice (Thompson/South-Western Press), now in its twelfth edition.

Gwartney’s presentation at the institute was titled “Common Sense Economics,” an obvious play on his book title. He discussed topics of economics that are important to the ordinary person and encouraged participants to ask questions and contribute to the discussion. He explained to his listeners the importance of making sound economic decisions, gaining economic stability, and understanding how the economy affects the greater society as a whole.

“We want [the participants] to have a better understanding of the relationship between economics and civics,” Gwartney said. “So many of the issues that we deal with in the political process relate to economic issues, and there’s a lot of economic illiteracy in our country, and most every country, and that can be a devastating thing in a democratic nation. We want people to think more about it.”

And, with much of the audience involved in the educational arena, as either a current or future teacher, that message rang clear. Janice David, a senior Social Science Education major who plans to become a teacher, said, “I don’t want my students growing up not knowing about these things.”

David and fellow participants in the institute also learned from Martin how to gain access to up to $5000 in training, mini-grants and scholarships from the FCSS to fund projects and resources for classroom teaching of social sciences. FCSS is a professional organization of social studies educators striving to maintain and enhance the importance of social studies in Florida education.

“I think it’s an important resource for teachers, not having to pay for things out of pocket,” said Mike Oelke, a junior social science education major.

In his presentation, Calhoun showcased a valuable tool for teachers of economics. Virtual Economics is an interactive CD distributed by the National Council on Economics Education that is aimed at helping teachers understand important economics concepts and find the appropriate lessons to teach them to specific grade levels. The CD is searchable by topic and provides lesson plans, handouts and other resources for classroom teachers.

Area teachers who attended the event were happy to have a workshop available that provided information on how the topics of civics and economics integrate. Stephen Veliz, a social studies teacher at Swift Creek Middle School and a regular attendee of workshops sponsored by the Stavros Center said, “[The topics] tonight were really relevant because we’re moving next year toward civics.” He is referring to a shift in curriculum to incorporate more civics subject matter into social studies curriculum.

Aside from the knowledge that they gained from the presentations and materials, some students and teachers who attended also saw the institute as an excellent networking opportunity.

“It’s always great to have someone on your side… to know who you are, that you’re serious about you’re program and the degree you’re seeking,” said Mitchell Garonce, a senior social science education major.

And, one teacher felt that the opportunity to attend events like this one ultimately benefits her students. “I believe that the more informed and supported the teachers are, that will ultimately benefit the students that they teach,” said Becky Hall, a social studies teacher at Fairview Middle School.

Martin hopes that the institute will become an annual event, and organizers feel that this is an important outreach provided to the community by FSU.

“It's important for the university to offer the expertise of faculty to those not directly associated with FSU,” said Calhoun, who helped with the coordination of the event.