CHV2O Chapter 1: Me, a Citizen?

Course Info Mr Nyman CHV2O1

Learning Goals Understand the purpose of the civics course Learn terminology including democracy, autocracy, majority rights, values, etc. Begin to look at rights and limitations of rights

Why do I have to take this course? introduces the skills, beliefs and knowledge that help us become informed, purposeful and active citizens learn how decisions are made on issues important to the public learn how our government works and what process it uses to make decisions identify our personal beliefs and values about how we participate in society

Why do I have to take this course? practice basic citizenship skills, examine challenges of participating in communities in which people often hold different views think about what active and responsible citizenship means to you

What are the most important characteristics of a responsible citizen?

Citizenship Government  decision making system  makes laws, directs the interactions of groups of people  decides how to spend taxes How are citizens involved with the government?

Citizenship Values  beliefs about what is important in life Civics is the study of  rights and responsibilities  how public decisions are made  issues that are important to the citizens

Citizenship Civil Society Groups  Voluntary organizations that work to make a difference on important public issues Timeline of Democracy  Democracy:  Canada’s democratic constitution:  Universal Declaration of Human Rights:  Consensus Decision making:

Citizenship Majority Rule  the opinion of the greater number should prevail Minority Rights  the rights of the minority must be safeguarded Consensus Decision Making  a collective decision to which all parties must agree

Citizenship RightExample of RightPossible Limits of Right The right to express one’s opinion publicly A person who disagrees with the ideas of the mayor of a city makes a presentation to the city council Can’t create a public disturbance at the council meeting A thirteen year old wants to vote in a national election Create a chart like the one below on a piece of paper (there will be more rows)

Citizenship RightExample of RightPossible Limits of Right An employee tells a coworker that he/she “looks hot” A store sign that says, “No (ethnic group) allowed” A group of protesters outside an abortion clinic try to stop people from entering the clinic