© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 311 RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP 31.1Being a Citizen 31.2Thinking Clearly Chapter 31

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 312 BEING A CITIZEN Explain the four responsibilities of citizenship Summarize the process of registering to vote and casting a ballot Discuss the importance of voting in local, state, and national elections Objectives Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 313 CITIZENSHIP Citizenship is membership in a community, state, county, or nation; carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a citizen. Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 314 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP Personal activities Economic activities Political activities National defense activities Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 315 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP—PERSONAL Considerate of the needs of others Help develop and preserve basic institutions such as community Adhere to customs and laws of society Stand up for what one believes is right Take action against what one knows is wrong Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 316 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP—ECONOMIC Produce efficiently and consume wisely Help protect the rights of others to work Use talents and abilities to further the economic welfare of the society Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 317 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP—POLITICAL Register to vote Participate in all elections Keep up with local, national, and international issues Express opinions to elected representatives Perform jury duty when asked Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 318 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP—NATIONAL DEFENSE Military reserve Active duty Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 319 VOTING Voting is a privilege and a right. Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3110 VOTING QUALIFICATIONS Must be a U.S. citizen Must be at least 18 years old Must meet state residency requirements Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3111 VOTER REGISTRATION In person By mail On the Internet Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3112 CASTING A BALLOT Precincts are divisions of a county, ward, city, or town for election purposes; voting districts. A person must vote at the polling place for the precinct in which he or she lives. At every polling place, some type of private polling booth is provided. Lesson 31.1

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3113 THINKING CLEARLY List sources of facts on candidates and issues Identify and describe those things that get in the way of clear thinking Objectives Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3114 GATHER THE FACTS Newspapers, magazines, and television and radio news programs League of Women Voters Internet Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3115 RECOGNIZE THE FACTS Facts can be proven. The following are often confused with facts: Rumor Opinion Prejudice Allegation Bias Propaganda Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3116 RUMOR A rumor is a popular report or story that has not been proven. Most rumors are spread by word of mouth. People often treat rumors as if they are fact. Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3117 OPINION An opinion is one person’s views about something. We reveal our opinions when we show a preference for a certain candidate or take a particular side in an issue. Although opinions may be based on fact, they are not fact in themselves. Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3118 PREJUDICE Prejudice is a prejudgment; an opinion that is based on insufficient information. People might express prejudice about a person’s sex, race, or religion or about some other quality. Prejudice frequently causes great harm to people and is the opposite of clear thinking. Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3119 ALLEGATION An allegation is an unproven statement about someone or something. Making an allegation is very serious. You should never make an allegation unless you have the supporting facts. You could be hurting an innocent party. You could also be sued. Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3120 BIAS Bias is a tendency to favor something because of familiarity or preference You might then make exaggerated claims. Biases are not necessarily harmful. Lesson 31.2

© Thomson/South-WesternSlideCHAPTER 3121 PROPAGANDA Propaganda is any organized effort or movement to spread certain information. The information may be true or false. Propaganda is not always negative. Lesson 31.2