civics – study of citizenship and gov’t citizen – a member of a nation who owes allegiance to...
TRANSCRIPT
Civics and Economics
What Is Civics? Civics – study of
citizenship and gov’t
Citizen – a member of a nation who owes allegiance to its gov’t and is protected by it
Why Do We Need Government?
Four reasons:• Make laws (What purpose do laws serve?)• Keep order • Provide services (What services?)• Prevent anarchy (Why is anarchy a
problem?)
Who are American Citizens?
14th amendment states; anyone born or naturalized in the US.
Diversity in America We are a nation
of immigrants• EXP: E pluribus unum: out of many oneOn the back of all American coins
Two ways to become a US Citizen
1. By Birth• Born in any 50
states• Born on any
American Territory (Guam, Puerto Rico or oversees base)
• 1 or both parents are citizens
• Children born on American soil except for foreign diplomats
2. Naturalization Process: Legal Process
• Aliens: non citizens who live in USA to work but leave and return to home country
• Immigrants: people who move here permanently
1. Sign Declaration of Intention form
2. Live in US 5 yrs. or 3 if married
3. Interview with US CIS Agent4. Take citizenship exam5. Attend a ceremony, say
oath of allegiance
Extras How long does your
citizenship last?• Forever or unless you
voluntarily give it up Who grants
citizenship?• Federal gov’t
If illegal aliens are caught what happens to them?• Deported: sent back to
own country
What are the responsibilities of an American citizen?
Responsibility: things we should do• Be informed• Speak up and vote• Respect others rights• Respect diversity
Have tolerance: respect and accept others beliefs, practices and differences
• Contribute to the common good
What are the duties of an American citizen?
Duty: things we must do• Obey laws• Pay taxes• Serve in court (jury
duty)• Attend school (until at
least 16 years old)• Defend the nation
Men from ages 18-25 must register with the federal gov’t Called the Selective Service
Act
Volunteering Volunteerism: the
practice of offering your time to others without pay
Community: group of people who share the same interests or concerns
Examples of National Programs
Peace Corps• Est. 1961• Go to other countries and help over 135
Ameri Corps:• Work in USA through local and national organizations• EXP: Red Cross• If you work with them for 1 year they help pay for college
Job Corp• no-cost education and vocational training program
administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 get a better job, make more money, and take control of their lives.
COULD YOU PASS THE CITIZENSHIP
EXAM???
Levels of Government
1. National2. State3. Local
• County• City
Kinds of Government Democracy – rule by the people
• Direct democracy – system in which people vote on all decisions
Republic – system in which people choose representatives to make decisions for them (also known as representative democracy)
Monarchy – system in which the right to rule is passed down through a family (king or queen)
Kinds of Government Dictatorship – rule by a single individual Totalitarianism – system in which the
government has complete authority over every aspect of the people’s lives
Oligarchy – system in which a small minority has authority
Theocracy – system in which religious beliefs have the power of law
Anarchy – system in which no form of government exists…chaos!