Duke Staff Take a Lunch Break to Learn About Courts

Duke University staff spent a lunch hour last November learning how courts work and why the judiciary matters, thanks to retired North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robin E. Hudson and Civics Break, a course developed by the Bolch Judicial Institute.

At a time of heightened attention on the courts and record-high threats against judges, the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School is working to strengthen understanding of the judiciary through Civics Break, a nonpartisan civics education program for adult learners.

The November session drew staff from Duke’s medical, business, and law schools and sparked lively discussions about the role of courts in U.S. democracy. Attendees asked questions about public trust in the courts, judicial independence, and how judges navigate high-profile and politically sensitive cases while remaining nonpartisan.

“The materials quickly engaged the group with relatable examples, engaging videos, and familiar history,” said Hudson. “Bolch did a very nice job creating a program that grabbed and kept the attention of the audience, who then asked very good questions. By all reports, they enjoyed and learned from the program, and I enjoyed interacting with the group. I would expect that Civics Break programs will be well received by a variety of audiences and should help to bridge the gaps in civics teaching about the judiciary that we are experiencing around the country.”

Civics Break addresses a notable gap in civics education: materials focused specifically on the judiciary and designed for adult audiences. The course provides an overview of the rule of law, the work of judges, and the ways the judicial branch affects everyday life, as well as opportunities for participants to meet and hear from judges. Through a pilot phase that reached nearly 2,000 participants nationwide, the Institute’s civics team worked to make sure the curriculum is engaging, fact-based, and accessible to nonlegal audiences.

A “plug-and-play” program designed to make presentations easy for expert and nonexpert presenters alike, Civics Break can be adapted for a wide range of audiences and presentation formats. Videos, downloadable presentation slides, talking points, and scripts are freely available at duke.is/civics-break. The Bolch Judicial Institute is now working to share Civics Break with other community groups and universities. Email bolchjudicialinstitute@law.duke.edu to learn more.

 Michelle Kaminsky is managing editor of Judicature.