Chapter Three Lesson One:Becoming an American

What Is Culture?

Culture is the way of life of a group of people. It includes a group's language, customs, beliefs, and traditions.

All of the following are aspects of culture:

religious beliefsfoodhairstyles gamessportsjokes and humorholidays

languageclothingmusicdancescelebrationssayings and wisdomhouse styles

Lesson Two: Becoming A Citizen

Native Born Citizenship:

People who are born on American soil are said to have the right of jus soli, and this right is protected in the 14th Amendment to the United States constitution, which specifically states that “all persons born in the United States ... are citizens of the United States.” Jus soli has become a topic of hot discussion in some areas of the United States, because this right is also extended to children born of foreign parents, whether or not they are in the country legally.

In the case of children born to illegal immigrants, some people use the derogatory term “anchor baby” to describe a child who is born in the US, under the mistaken belief that illegal immigrants will not be deported if their children are considered American citizens.For children born abroad, the principle that applies is jus sanguinis, or “rule of the blood,” and the rules can get a bit tricky.

If a child is born to two parents who are both American citizens, the case is usually clear, and the parents need only apply for a United States passport on the child's behalf to ensure that his or her citizenship is formally recognized. If only one parent is an American citizen, however, jus sanguinis may or may not apply, and the case must be considered before the child is classified as a natural born citizen.

In situations where only one parent is a United States citizen, he or she must have lived in the United States for at least five years at some point before the child's birth as a full American citizen, and at least two of these five years must have occurred after the parent's 14th birthday. In the case of a child born to an American mother, the child is usually considered a citizen, whether or not the mother is married. If an American father is involved in a relationship with a foreign woman and the couple is not married, however, the father may need to fight for the child's right to citizenship.

Lesson Three : Duties and Responsibilities of American Citizenship

Lesson 4 Forms of Government

Other Forms of Government

Communism: The government has possession of all the property and control over the people. Power is often held by one or a small

Absolute Monarchy: Power is hereditary and unlimited

Oligarchy: Small group of people hold power

Autocracy: One ruler or dictator with sole control of the government

Socialism: An economic system and political theory that promotes government ownership. Wealth is divided equally among the citizens

Theocracy: Power held by religious leaders.