Location

2024 LECTURE SERIES: "Civics 101: What We're Taught and What We're Not" with Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice
 

On June 19, Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, co-hosts of NHPR’s podcast Civics 101, will present Civics 101: What We’re Taught and What We’re Not. In their podcast, McCarthy and Capodice talk about the state of civics education in America today for both school kids and adults. They will talk about what they teach, what they don’t, why so much of what was learned about America is not true and what to do about it.

Civics 101 was created as “Schoolhouse Rock for adults,” a way to reinforce civic learning received in our respective middle and high schools. McCarthy and Capodice have met with lots of teachers around the country to see what they’re teaching in modern classes, expecting to hear a variant of what had been taught. However, it was quickly made apparent that, while the kids are alright and in good hands, it is the adults who need the education. Every episode of the podcast uncovers a myth, oversimplification, or flat-out inaccuracy.

Hannah McCarthy has worked with Civics 101 since 2016. Prior to that she was a State House and Couch Fellow reporter with NHPR and journalist in Brooklyn, New York. Nick Capodice has worked with Civics 101 since 2017. Prior to his time at NHPR, Nick worked in the education department of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, telling the stories of American newcomers. Nick and Hannah have co-created hundreds of episodes, and their podcast has been downloaded over 26 million times. Civics 101 has won regional and national awards, including the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel for a series on landmark Supreme Court cases.

Program begins at 5:30 pm in the Shaw Research Library of the Portsmouth Athenaeum at 9 Market Square in Portsmouth, NH. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Please call (603) 431-2538 to reserve. If unable to keep a reservation, please call again to release the seat for someone else. Attendance at programs is free for Athenaeum Proprietors, Subscribers and Friends. Guests and members of the public are welcome to attend the entire series by becoming a Friend of the Athenaeum for as little as $25 per year, payable at the door. Admission to an individual program is $15.