Civics In A Year

What do you really know about American government, the Constitution, and your rights as a citizen?

Civics in a Year is a fast-paced podcast series that delivers essential civic knowledge in just 10 minutes per episode. Over the course of a year, we’ll explore 250 key questions—from the founding documents and branches of government to civil liberties, elections, and public participation.

Rooted in the Civic Literacy Curriculum from the Center for American Civics at Arizona State University, this series is a collaborative project supported by the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. Each episode is designed to spark curiosity, strengthen constitutional understanding, and encourage active citizenship.

Whether you're a student, educator, or lifelong learner, Civics in a Year will guide you through the building blocks of American democracy—one question at a time.

Guest

Mary Beth Tinker

Mary Beth Tinker is a lifelong advocate for student rights whose landmark Supreme Court case, Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), established that students do not “shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.” At 13, her quiet protest against the Vietnam War sparked a national conversation about free speech in schools. Today, Mary Beth travels the country speaking with young people, educators, and communities about youth voice, civic engagement, and the power of student-led change

Guest appearance on:

How Tinker v. Des Moines Empowered Student Speech