Lesson 6: Civic Roles & Responsibilities UNIT 2: CITIZENSHIP IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

 SWBAT the roles and responsibilities of citizens within a democracy and determine whether the high cost of running for office stands in the way of these principles. LESSON OBJECTIVE

 Responsibility  The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something.  The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.  Elected Officials and their…interesting past times  Respond to the short responses below based upon your knowledge of the responsibilities as citizens in America & Anthony Weiner.  Why is Anthony Weiner’s run for mayor surrounded by scandal?  What is your duty as a New Yorker in relation to him?  Discussion  Who is more responsible if Anthony Weiner is elected mayor of New York and then continues his questionable use of twitter? WORD OF THE DAY/INITIAL ACTIVITY

 right to vote for public officials, right to hold public office and right to serve as juror. How do these rights enforce democracy? How do these roles enforce social contract theory?  Term limits for politicians RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

 Term Limits  Cost of running for public office  Efforts for voter ID laws NEGLECT OF RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Aesop, On Public Office  “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.” What does Aesop mean by this?  1 minute to write down a response to this question:  Why do you think people make these decisions?  Do you believe that this quote holds true today in America?  Turn & Talk: 30 seconds per partner  Share Out MAJOR PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT: TURN & TALK

 Focus Question: Do the high costs associated with running for public office work against the rights and responsibilities of American citizens?  Read Political Newcomers Face High Costs and Difficult Odds  Does your abilitiy to vote for elected officials counteract your in ability to run for office without being independently rich?  How are political hopefuls keeping costs down?  Share Out ACTIVITY: OPINION

 Exit Ticket  Based upon today’s mini-lesson and activity, How do citizens of a democratic nation have the ability to influence the decision making of their government?  Discussion  How can the average person realistically compete for public office against a multi-millionaire capable of outspending all opponents?  Parking Lot  Develop one critical thinking question from today’s mini-lesson or activity.  Write onto post-it and place onto parking lot. You will address these questions as a class during the initial-activity each following day. SUMMARY