Ideas from ACA Members

As a community of practice, the Alliance is committed to strengthening postsecondary civic education by fostering collaboration among members to develop and share ideas, resources, and best practices in a spirit of civic friendship. This work necessarily involves engaging with diverse perspectives, including those with which members may disagree. By doing so, we aim to model the democratic skills of good-faith dialogue and respectful engagement across differences—skills we seek to instill in our students, both in and beyond the classroom.

 

Below, you will find materials and ideas contributed by various Alliance members. These materials reflect a wide range of viewpoints and do not necessarily represent the view of the Alliance itself. However, we hope they will inspire thoughtful reflection on how best to prepare university students for the responsibilities of self-governance.

Featured
America

Commentary: Does reflective patriotism depend on a positive assessment of one’s country’s history?

Peter Levine, Peter Levine Substack

The article argues that reflective patriotism need not depend on viewing a nation’s history positively, and that civic education should foster national identification without encouraging the dangerous form of national narcissism associated with authoritarian populism.

Podcast

Field-Building: Engaging Community: A Toolkit for Reciprocal Teaching and Learning Beyond the Campus

Longo, N. V.; Perrotti, C.; Roy, M. H., AAC&U, Campus Compact (2026)

Community-engaged learning is most effective when it is built on authentic relationships, reciprocal partnerships, and shared learning between campuses and communities. Co-published by AAC&U and Campus Compact, Engaging Community: A Toolkit for Reciprocal Teaching and Learning Beyond the Campus is a free, open-access resource that helps educators design meaningful community-engaged learning experiences.

Students

Civics in the News: Institute of American Civics to Launch First Undergraduate Degree Program 

The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

Beginning this fall, University of Tennessee, Knoxville students can major in Civic and Constitutional Thought through the Institute of American Civics (IAC) following approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

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