Civics
A Story that Starts with You...
Civic Education
Derived from the latin rootword, "civis", meaning citizen,
civic education is the foundation of civic participation.
​
From Orange County, CA to Washington, DC, elevate Asian American Women voices through civic participation. Learn about Asian American history and how our voices are essential in uplifting our communities through representation.
Curriculum
Module 1: Introduction to Civic Engagement and Voter Rights Objective: Provide foundational knowledge on civic engagement and introduce the role of voting in democratic processes. Key Topics: What is civic engagement? Understanding the role of a citizen. Introduction to the importance of voting: Why your vote matters. Key milestones in American democracy (the suffrage movements, civil rights, and Asian American voting rights). Activity: Group discussion on personal experiences with voting or civic engagement, with an emphasis on how their vote can make a difference.
Module 5: Policy Issues and How Voting Shapes Committees Objective: Equip participants with the knowledge of how policy issues directly affect their lives and communities. Key Topics: Understanding key policy issues: Healthcare, immigration, education, economic justice. How voting influences these issues, especially within the Asian American community. The power of local elections: Why local elections matter more than you might think. Activity: Mock voting session where participants vote on local issues, discussing how they would prioritize them in their communities.
Module 2: Asian American History and Political Influence Objective: Highlight the history of Asian American involvement in U.S. politics and the ongoing fight for equal rights. Key Topics: A brief history of Asian Americans in the U.S.: from the Chinese Exclusion Act to Japanese American internment. The fight for Asian American civil rights: The Voting Rights Act and its impact on Asian communities. Profiles of Asian American political leaders (e.g., Patsy Mink, Kamala Harris, Daniel Inouye). Activity: Case study analysis of key events in Asian American political history and their outcomes (e.g., the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act).
Module 3: Understanding the Electoral System and Why Voting Matters ​Objective: Deep dive into how elections work and why individual votes hold power, with a focus on voter suppression and protection. Key Topics: How the electoral system works: Local, state, and federal elections. Understanding the influence of the Asian American vote in past elections. Voter suppression: Challenges and barriers to voting, especially for marginalized communities. The Voting Rights Act and its role in protecting voting rights. Activity: Breakout sessions where participants analyze different forms of voter suppression and how they can overcome them.
Module 6: Building a Personal Plan for Civic Engagement Objective: Equip participants with the knowledge of how policy issues directly affect their lives and communities. Key Topics: Understanding key policy issues: Healthcare, immigration, education, economic justice. How voting influences these issues, especially within the Asian American community. The power of local elections: Why local elections matter more than you might think. Activity: Mock voting session where participants vote on local issues, discussing how they would prioritize them in their communities.
Module 7: Staying Informed and Participating in local and state elections Objective:Â How to stay informed in local politics and participate in elections beyond ever Presidential (4) years. Key Topics: Overview of local government structure (City Council, County Supervisors, School Boards, etc.). Key positions and their powers: Mayor, City Council members, County Supervisors, etc. How local elections affect public services, schools, housing, transportation, and community safety. The Voting Rights Act and its role in protecting voting rights. Case studies of recent local election outcomes in Orange County. Activity: Breakout sessions where participants analyze different forms of voter suppression and how they can overcome them.
Module 4: The Role of Asian American (Women) in Civic Engagement ​Objective: Explore the unique contributions of Asian American women to civic life and encourage active participation. Key Topics: The intersection of gender and race in political participation. Historic figures and activists: Asian American women who paved the way (e.g., Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs). How Asian American women are reshaping political participation and civic activism today. Activity: Guest speaker session or interview with an Asian American woman activist, community leader, or local politician.
Module 8: Understanding the Election Calendar and Cycle, Stay Informed, and Participate ​Objective: Understand Local Election Cycles, How to stay informed, and Participate Key Topics: Types of Elections, City Council elections, Special Elections, Voter Registration Time/Deadlines and Drives, How to find upcoming elections How to look up important dates for local elections, CA primary and general election schedule, accessing voter information. How to identify reliable sources (government websites, OC Registrar of Voters, nonpartisan organizations How to read and interpret ballot measures, knowing the issues affecting your community, using Voters Edge to review candidates positions Voting in Local Elections (mail-in-ballots, early voting, polling places) How to volunteer for local candidates and campaigns, organize a phone banking or canvassing event, and engage with election officials through town halls and meetings. Activity: Role-Playing: Simulate a volunteer shift for a local campaign—canvassing or phone banking.
