Civics

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

I would like to put together a plan for a Talossan civics course. This is intended as both an educational and political endeavour: the lectures, hand-outs, and discussions from this course will go to providing a set of presentations and webpages for novices to Talossan politics.

My intentions are to teach the course myself, but I will be obtaining supplementary support from some of the most versed and experienced members of our country. And in fact, I would very much love it if people would post here with what they think should be taught, what they want to know more about, and so on.

The topics I have planned right now (loosely) are listed below as separate units.

PROSPECTIVE SYLLABUS IN ANOTHER POST BELOW

I eagerly welcome any offers to help, requests, or suggestions.

[Flip Molinar]

How about provincial governments came to be and their structural changes over the years?

[Xhorxh Asmour]

How about Talossanity?

[Eðo Grischun]

I am most intrigued by this course. I would look forward to learning a lot more about Talossan History. Units 1 and 2 in particular, and somewhat Unit 3. I hope that you find a way to teach as much History as possible within the course.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Jun 23, 2009 10:55:56 GMT -6 Flip Molinar said:

How about provincial governments came to be and their structural changes over the years?

I was planning to cover that in the history sections, since they are integral parts of the central history.

Jun 23, 2009 17:47:36 GMT -6 Xhorxh Asmour said:

How about Talossanity?

I don't think that is for any course to define. I don't think I would even venture to do so.

Jun 23, 2009 20:31:17 GMT -6 Eðo Grischun said:

I am most intrigued by this course. I would look forward to learning a lot more about Talossan History. Units 1 and 2 in particular, and somewhat Unit 3. I hope that you find a way to teach as much History as possible within the course.

History will be one of the most important parts of the course, but it can't be the biggest part. I will be hitting the major highlights and drawing up a narrative for the nation, but a full discussion of history demands a course of its own (perhaps a future job).

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

IN PROGRESS

Syllabus for GOV0001 - Talossan Civics

"14-year-old Ben spent two weeks planning his move. He decided to take his bedroom and declare it to be an independent, sovereign state. ... Then, in his first official act, this high school sophomore read a Declaration of Independence proclaiming Talossa’s secession from the United States: 'I, Robert I, his royal me, proclaim the Kingdom of Talossa to be an independant [sic] unit the the [sic] master plan of World Singular Secession. In doing so, I am seceding from the United States of America.'"
Robert I, Ár Päts.

This course is intended to provide a basic understanding of Talossan history and politics for both new citizens and those unexperienced in politics. While significant time will be spent on the history and traditions of the country, a majority of the focus will be on the operations of the Talossan government and the ways in which a citizen can participate. The Republic will be addressed from the official perspective of the Kingdom, but with as much help from Republicans and with as much courtesy as possible. It is probable that the section of the first lecture about the Republic will be written by a guest lecturer rather than myself.

Readings will be taken primarily from Citaxhienità: A Guide to Talossan Citizenship, supplemented by Robert I's Ár Päts (2005 edition) and other materials, as well as links to Wittenberg posts. Materials will be made available to all. Participation is vital.

This course will be worth three credits if work is completed to my satisfaction. That satisfaction will depend to a great deal on whether or not you do the reading, participate in discussion meaningfully, and pass your final exam. The final will take the form of a brief set of two essays, in which you will demonstrate your grasp of key concepts within Talossan civics and how they can be applied. While the course itself is eight weeks, up to a whole final ninth week may be spent in the composition of your final exams.

Homework should be done by that week's class, not afterwards! If you have not read, you cannot discuss your work on the message board thread for that evening and you will not receive any credit for that day!

Week 1 - Early Talossan History. Background on Robert I and the creation of Talossa; the birth of traditions and a boy's influences; the language; the expansion years; the Republicans leave.

Week 2 - Evolutions of the Talossan Government. The first iterations; rapid revolutions from month to month; accommodating rivals; establishment of law;

Week 3 - Modern Talossan History.

Week 4 - The Law. The Organic Law; how laws are made; the justice system.

Week 5 - The Crown. The King; his powers; his household.

Week 6 - The Ziu. The Cosa; election to the Cosa; functioning of the Cosa; the Senats; election to the Senats; functioning of the Senats; disputes.

Week 7 - The Government. The method of elections; the Seneschal; the Cabinet of past and present; handling conflicts.

Week 8 - El Glheþ. Commonly-used words; names; basic Talossan phrases; pronounciation. Final exam distributed.

Week 9 - Final exam due.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

While the course isn't ready yet, I believe the above syllabus will closely resemble the final thing. Would the Regent please take a look and see if the course is approved to go?

[Xhorxh Asmour]

Please correct a typo at week 8: PRONUNCIATION instead of PRONOUNCIATION.

[Vit Caçeir]

Wish I could say I could help with this project; but truthfully I can't say I know enough about the topics to be of any use.

In that case, sign me up!

[Capt. Sir Mick Preston]

I hear the Chancery is a really cool place....

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Jun 25, 2009 19:47:10 GMT -6 Capt. Sir Mick Preston said:

I hear the Chancery is a really cool place....

Naturally I will cover that office; I figured it would be best placed in the Crown section.

[Capt. Sir Mick Preston]

(chuckles)

It would be interesting to see if there are lists of all of the Seneschals and SoS's of the Kingdom.

And may the ghods have mercy on the soul that tries to compile those lists.

[Daniel Filan]

Lists of Seneschals: kingdomoftalossa.net/index.cgi?lingo=&page=PMlist and kingdomoftalossa.net/index.cgi?lingo=&page=PMs

I don't think that there's one on SoSs though.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

Here is the first draft of the compiled timeline I have created for the first unit, along with a few figures (like names and definitions for Talossan political movements, some famous sayings from monarchs, and provincial origins). A glossary (still lacking definitions) is also a part of the file. It is an example of the work we will do in this course.

[Dréu Gavárþic'h]

I think that perhaps, in the future, this course could be used for prospective citizens--they'd have to pass this to become citizens.