Civics 101           

Citizenship

  • Civics Basics
    • Civics = the study of the rights and duties of citizens
    • Citizens = members of a community who have certain rights and duties under a government and are entitled to the protection of that government
    • Democracy = rule by the people (directly or through representatives)
    • Key democratic principles: consent of the governed, free and fair elections, inclusive suffrage, freedom of expression, access to information, majority rule, respect for the minority, rule of law, limited government
    • Citizenship
      • Citizens belong to a nation and have certain rights including the right to take part in government
        • 14th Amendment says a U.S. citizen is anyone “born or naturalized in the United States” and all citizens get “equal protection of the laws”
      • Two ways to become a U.S. citizen
        1. Natural-born (born a citizen)
          • Anyone born in a U.S. state, DC, territory, military base
          • Anyone born in another country whose parents are both U.S. citizens or if one parent is a citizen and has lived in the U.S.
        2. Naturalized (legally obtained citizenship)
          • Requirements:
            • 18+ years old (children automatically become citizens when their parents do)
            • Lawful permanent resident for 5+ years
            • Read, write, and speak English
            • Good moral character
            • Show understanding of U.S. civics (citizenship test)
          • The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services manages citizenship applications
            • Potential citizens apply, take the test, swear a loyalty oath, sign a document
      • Losing citizenship (3 ways)
        • Expatriation = giving allegiance to another country
        • Denaturalization = naturalized citizens who lie on their citizenship application lose their citizenship
        • Conviction of specific crimes = treason, taking part in a rebellion, trying to violently overthrow the government
 
  • Duties and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens
    • Duties = actions citizens must do (5 examples)
      • Obey laws
      • Pay taxes
        • Taxes fund police, schools, firefighters, military, roads, government employees, and much more
      • Defend the nation
        • The Selective Service System requires male citizens aged 18 – 25 to register for a potential draft (military service)
      • Serve in court
        • Serve on a jury
        • Act as a witness when called
      • Attend school
        • Public school, private school, or homeschool
        • Education is essential in a democracy
          • Thomas Jefferson said: “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”
    • Responsibilities = actions citizens should do (4 examples)
      • Be informed
        • Pay attention to government actions, social problems, foreign affairs
      • Be active
        • Vote, advocate, organize, volunteer
      • Contribute to the common good
        • Spend time, money, energy to improve the community
      • Respect the rights of others
 
  • The Purpose of Government
    • Keep order
      • Laws prevent conflicts, provide solutions
      • Police prevent and investigate crimes, courts provide justice
    • Provide services
      • Schools, libraries, parks, hospitals, mail, water, roads, bridges, garbage collection, fire/police departments, welfare programs
    • Manage foreign affairs
      • Diplomatic relations with other societies
      • Military protection from other societies
    • Guide the community
      • Public policies establish goals and plans
        • Use of resources, environmental policies, zoning regulations
 
  • Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
    • Civil liberties = rights protected from unjust government action
      • In the U.S., rights are specified in the Constitution, laws, and court decisions
        • Ex: freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, religion
      • Limits: the rights of one citizen must be balanced against the rights of another
        • Ex: noise ordinances (limit speech), rally/protest permits (limit assembly), slander/libel laws (limit speech),
    • Civil rights = rights to freedom and equality (politically and socially)
      • All citizens have the same rights
        • Ex: if some students have the right to free public schooling, all students are entitled to that right
    • ​Videos: U.S. Constitution​ and U.S. Bill of Rights

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