  What does it mean to be a United States Citizen?   What is a Society?   6 Sentences

The Basics of Civics Mrs. Dorencamp January 27, 2010

Goal 10   The learner will develop, defend, and evaluate positions on issues regarding the personal responsibilities of citizens in the American constitutional democracy.

What is Civics?  The study of the privileges and obligations of citizens

What is a Citizen?  a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection

Citizenship  Native Born Citizen: Born in the United States  Naturalized Citizen: Born in another country Become a U.S. Citizen by taking a test Become a U.S. Citizen by taking a test  Immigration: People come from other countries to live in the United States

Objective  10.02: Develop, defend, and evaluate positions on issues regarding diversity in American life.

Results of Immigration  Diversity  Lots of different cultures

Melting Pot Theory Everybody in U.S. shares same culture Everybody in U.S. shares same culture

Tossed Salad Theory We get along but respect different cultures We get along but respect different cultures

E Pluribus Unum  Out of Many, one

Negative results of Diversity  Bias: Only supporting one side of an issue Gender Bias Gender Bias  Look for the “isms”  Racism Discrimination based on race or Ethnicity Discrimination based on race or Ethnicity  Sexism Discrimination based on a person’s sex Discrimination based on a person’s sex  Ageism Discrimination based on a person’s Age Discrimination based on a person’s Age

Question  What forms of discrimination exist in America today?

Gender Bias at VMI   Read Newspaper article regarding gender bias at VMI   Read Article on women in combat   Half the class will read pros, half the class will read cons   Collaborate about Articles

  Do you think denying women the right to fight in combat positions is an example of sexism? Why? Why not? Explain and support your answer

Objectives   Explain the distinction between personal and civic responsibilities and the tensions that may arise between them.

Responsibility vs. Duty Responsibility I should do it but I don’t have to Duty If I don’t do it I will get in trouble, usually with the law

List Responsibilities

Different Types of Responsibilities Personal 1. Deal with self 2. Civic 1. Deals with Community 3. Legal 1. Deals with Law 4. Moral 1. Difference between right and wrong/religious Ø Fiscal 1. Deals with Money

Questions  What responsibilities does the individual have to the community and the community to the individual?

Duties  Things you have to do as a citizen  If you don’t do them you can be punished

List Duties

Objectives   Demonstrate characteristics of effective citizenship.

What Should You Do In Order to Be a Good Citizen?  Be informed about your government and community  Volunteer  Be Tolerant of other people  Vote  Be Self Motivated  Pay taxes  Obey Law  Speak to Issues

Speaking to Issues  Speaking about issues important to you and/or society

Questions  Should community responsibility come at the expense of personal freedom? Why or why not?

Objectives   Evaluate the importance of supporting, nurturing, and educating oneself in the United States society.

Education  Continuing education Do more for community and yourself Do more for community and yourself  Literacy: Ability to read able to help more people able to help more people