Chapter 1: Me, a Citizen? CHV2O

Course Info Mr Nyman michael.nyman@tcdsb.org mrnyman.wikispaces.com @MrNym4n 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 Civics is the study of 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 Timeline of Democracy 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 Minority Rights Consensus Decision Making 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 Create a chart like the one below on a piece of paper (there will be more rows) Right Example of Right Possible 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

Citizenship Right Example of Right Possible Limits of Right An employee tells a coworker that he/she “looks hot” A group of protesters outside an abortion clinic try to stop people from entering the clinic

Citizenship Rights equality before the law liberty of person freedom of speech, thought and religion right to own property right to participate in elections right to run for an hold office right to vote right to participate fully in society right to a certain standard of economic and social well-being

Protected from government if it tries to: oppress my speech keep me from voting * prevent me from practicing my religion steal my property prevent me from running for office I expect the government to provide: clean water health care roads national defence opportunities for me to participate in democracy

Citizenship Pluralist society ideology Rule of law made up of many groups and in which we accept a range of opinions and values ideology set of beliefs on how society should be organized and what is important Rule of law no one is above the law

Citizenship Do people or government set out ideology? Who should have authority to make decisions for a society? What process should be used to make decisions? How should citizens be involved in decision making?

Citizenship Democracy Examples: Plus: Minus: Interesting: Canada America Ireland Athens Plus: majority rule citizens control the vote leaders are elected by citizens we are given rights and freedoms Minus: slow relies on citizens knowing what’s best not everyone is in agreement Interesting: jury duty uses democracy people are expected to be involved

Citizenship Autocracy Examples: Plus: Minus: Interesting: North Korea China Cuba Plus: Quick to make decisions Don’t have to worry about pleasing everyone Minus: Citizens have no say Rights and freedoms are limited citizens can’t openly criticize their government Interesting: leaders often use force to gain control

Citizenship Consensus Examples: Plus: Minus: Interesting: Iroquois nations Quakers Plus: Everyone is in agreement Leader’s are usually elected Minus: Very slow, can be difficult to come to decision Interesting: