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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Actor Richard Dreyfuss Speaks at NSU, Advocates Teaching Civics to Generations of Future Leaders
(from left) Marlisa Santos, Ph.D., director of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Humanities, stands with Richard Dreyfuss following the Distinguished Speakers Series talk by the actor turned activist.
Oscar-winning actor turned activist Richard Dreyfuss spoke to an audience of more than 500 people about his passion for civics education in a talk titled, “The 800-Pound Gorilla We Are All Refusing to See.” The event, held at NSU on Oct. 26, was part of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Speakers Series.
“Not teaching civics is an act of national suicide,” Dreyfuss said. During his talk, which was followed by a Q&A session with audience members, Dreyfuss urged citizens to remember and relearn that “we run our government” and that “we are the sovereign.” Dreyfuss said that it’s our responsibility to restore the principles America was founded on and to teach these ideas to current and future generations of students, citing that only about three percent of today’s public schools in America offer classes in civics. The activist also offered a “cost-free curriculum” that includes teaching students reason, logic, clarity of thought, and critical analysis.
Prior to his talk, Dreyfuss spent the afternoon meeting with undergraduate students, Honors students, and faculty members and administrators from the college.
Visit the college’s Photo Gallery to view pictures from the Distinguished Speakers Series events featuring Richard Dreyfuss.