Agenda Class 4 What is citizenship?

• Attendance • Citizenship• Opinions and Values• Taking Action• Homework Read Gerston Chapter 2 pp 31-42

The Role of the Citizen Why does Gerston call

citizenship the most important office?

Since the Constitution was written, more and more people have been give the right to vote. Why do you think only a little more than half our citizens vote? Do you vote? Why or why not?

What stops people from voting? What policies help? Which hinder?

What kind of citizen should we be?

Gertson says there are three types of citizens:

1. Rights-based: We need to be sure the federal, state and local governments are protecting our rights.

2. Community-based: We need to be sure everyone’s rights are being protected.

3. Action-based: We need to help our community and state and country better meet the diverse needs of all its citizens.

Which type of citizen are you? Is it possible to be a mix of two or three of them? What role do our values play in how we view our role as citizens?

What role do our values play in how we view our role as citizens?• Opinions are related to specific issues and are

changeable. We base our opinions on our values• Values are deep-seated beliefs about how the

world should be and how we should live in that world. We get our values fromo Our familyo Our friends and our communityo Our ethnic and racial backgroundo Our schooling and religious trainingo The media

Exploring Our Values• Values Then and Now

Activity: Complete the sheet and then go on an complete the Budgeting My Values Activity.

• Be prepared to discuss the results.

An Ideology is when values are shared by a group.

“Ideology: A label that expresses a group’s hopes, aspirations, and in some cases hatreds, as well.”Ideology is…1. A core of beliefs you share with others in the group.2. Favoring one point of view over another and sticking to it over time.3. A world-view: Fascism, Socialism, Communism, Democracy, Nationalism, Globalism, Consumerism4. A political party: Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal, Libertarian, Green Your ideology + Your Passion = The

Political Action You Take

Your Ideology + Your Passion = The Political Actions You Take

Based on what you have learned about your personal values, which of the following issues or causes would you be passionate enough to stand up and fight for or against?

• Is there a cause you are willing to die for?

1.An attack on our country2.An attack on another

country3.An attack on your

religion4.An attack on someone

else’s religion5.To be free to live your

life as you wish as long as you don’t hurt others.

6.To be free to live in a country where everyone lives by moral codes just like mine.

Ways to Take ActionThe Constitution recognizes two ways to make your voice heard besides voting:

1. The right to petition.2. The right to dissent

Have you ever signed a petition or participated in a protest demonstration? Why? What was the result? Would you do it again?

What makes an effective protest movement?

• Large number of people• Causes a mass disruption of everyday

life• Personal sacrifice – a willingness to be

beaten, to go to jail, or to die. Examples of successful protestso Boston Tea Partyo NY Anti-Rent War – 1839 first laws to protect tenants from

unreasonable landlords.o Civil Rights Movemento Women’s Suffrageo Anti-Vietnam Waro Stonewall – Gay Rightso Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire – Workers’ Safe Workplace Rights

• Can you think of any other successful protest movements?

Protest in the Digital Age• Do you think online petitions, social networking, and e-mails

effective ways to protest unjust policies?

Next Class• Topic: Public Policy Issues

• Public Citizen Project Groups will be formed. Project Schedule and Directions will be passed out.

• Reading Chapter 2 pp. 31-42