Highshool classes focused on government and politics?

Question

Don't you think it would benefit this country if we alotted more classroom time and made it mandatory to teach our children more about politics and how the government is run? I think it's a total waste of money and time to be teaching students about greek mythology and poetry, that is unless it's an elective. All I ever got was one quarter of civics in highschool yet I had a semester on poetry and greek mythology, not by choice these weren't elective classes!

Answer 1

I had one my senior year of highschool actually. I could either take that or history. I figured I had enough history classes it would be more usefull to learn about government and current events.
Of course part of the class was learning the history of governments etc.. but it was much more interesting than yet another history class.

Answer 2

I don't know how this is a question expecting a real answer...
but here's what I got.
Government structure and especially economics are extremely important and generally are incorporated into other courses such as history, math, and social studies. I don't think These should be introduced all in one year, such as senior year, because they aren't easy to grasp. The thing is, these things are learned often through parents, and often through immersion into society as young adults. They are covered in newspapers and specialized magazines, television, you name it. The best way I can figure this stuff out is to experience and questions.
As far as poetry and mythology go, culture is a huge huge part of the world that cannot be dismissed. Without culture, there is no People to govern, no income or economy. Mythology happens to be the foundation to most everything. Allusions are in television commercials, books, movies, marathon names, city names, everything. Poetry expands the mind and is a fading art in today's society. It isn't that poetry isn't written or read, it's that these things are done within an academic or artistic community and the poetry has a hard time reaching the public.
As far as politics goes, what is there to teach?
Anyway, an opinion asked for is an opinion received.

Answer 3

It's all part of Plato's well-rounded education stance that you get to dabble in these multitudes of topics. Politics and government are not so crucial. You learn the hard core stuff in 8th grade and then get refinements/depth in the 12th grade. So, no, mythology and poetry help with vocabulary, symbolism, and zillions of other English type topics like similes and metaphor, and blah blah blah. You get more mileage out of the other stuff, so they make you suffer through it for a semester.

Answer 4

I think we need to teach financial responsibility, economics, accounting, government and politics. We also need more classes that deal with science, history, math, and English. Most kids will need to know how to manage a check book, understand interest rates on loans, manage credit card debt. I think this is one of the problems with high school students getting ready for college. You have credit card companies waiting on them in the entrance hall at most colleges, and many do not understand the consequences of high interest rates.

Answer 5

In america, we know less about the rest of the world than the rest of the world knows about us. We also know less about what our leaders do than other nations, and we seem to care less also. In order for the tide to turn, more education needs to focus on our democracy, ways in which the people can force leaders to do right by us, and how our nation interacts with others throughout the world. Middle eastern and far eastern studies should also be included in order for students to understand how dependent we are on foreign products, and how we can support a healthy global community.

Answer 6

they could spend more time teching it.....but most Americans are new hounds and interested in politics..........

those other subjects are to round out a total person.....to be more worldly....understand the basics of society