Print bookPrint book

Lesson 1 Citizenship

Site: MoodleHUB.ca 🍁
Course: Social 30-2 RVS
Book: Lesson 1 Citizenship
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Monday, 27 October 2025, 8:12 AM

Table of contents

1. Introduction

Citizenship and Ideology


Issue Question: To what extent should ideology shape your thinking and actions as a citizen?
Big Ideas:
  • Exhibit a global consciousness with respect to the human condition and world issues

  • Accept responsibilities associated with individual and collective citizenship
  • Explore how ideologies shape individual and collective citizenship
  • Examine perspectives on the rights, roles and responsibilities of the individual in a democratic society




Duration: 1 block (80 mins + homework)

In this lesson you will determine your course of action as a citizen in response to local, national and global issues, once you have identified your ideology and examined your answers to the three fundamental questions:

  • What are humans like, and why do they act as they do?
  • What is the nature of society?
  • What is the role of the individual in society?

Key Terms
  • civil disobedience
  • citizenship
  • grassroots movement
  • worldview


2






2. Lesson

Citizenship

"Democracy is the most demanding of all forms of government in terms of the energy, imagination, and public spirit required of the individual."

-George C. Marshall,

American 5-star general and 1953 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

When a person is born, he or she automatically becomes a citizen of the country in which he or she is born. In a liberal democracy, a newborn citizen inherits all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by his or her country's constitution. In Canada, that means the rights and privileges presented in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Often, those rights and freedoms are given little thought by many Canadian citizens. Sometimes, a Canadian citizen may not even know the details of the rights and freedoms as set out in the Charter.


As a citizen of a liberal democracy, knowing your rights is important. Equally important is taking seriously the responsibilities of your citizenship. In this lesson you will:

  • learn the key vocabulary in unit 4 
  • reflect on your rights, roles and responsibilities as a citizen

Please go through this powerpoint to learn the key vocabulary in this unit.

Vocabulary 



Remember Unit 1 and the factors that shape an individual's identity:


When an individual translates beliefs and values into actions, some of those actions become that person's participation in society. A person's participation in society and the life of his or her nation translates into citizenship.


Have you ever wondered why individuals make different choices about citizenship? Why do some people seem uninterested in social issues and unprepared to become involved in influencing decisions, and others become excited and involved actively in these matters?

It is mainly due to a person's worldview and ideology.

A look at the following three general examples of citizenship will help you understand some of the reasons.

Example 1: Alienated Citizens...

  • are quite uninformed about the world

  • are unaware or are apathetic about the major issues facing society

  • believe that nobody listens to them so why bother

  • have great difficulty understanding or accepting the views of others

  • believe that authority exists only to hinder an individual's interests

  • see little point in becoming involved in the decisions of society

Alienated citizens have a worldview that anything outside their own sphere is either unimportant or perhaps threatening in some way. Their ideology keeps them from becoming involved in society in a meaningful way.

Example 2: Conventional Citizens...

  • are more prepared to take part in society's decision making

  • realize that social issues affect their personal lives

  • feel a need to take an interest in what is happening in society

  • have some knowledge of the issues in society

  • are willing to work within the political system

  • wonder if the most useful and practical actions are being taken by government to correct society's problems

  • are guided largely by society's expectations and by what is socially acceptable

Conventional citizens have a worldview that things outside of their own sphere also affect them and understanding what is happening in the world around them is important. Their ideology promotes their involvement with society and having opinions on issues. They may get occupied actively in voting, volunteering, or joining in informed discussions of issues, for example.

Example 3: Responsible and Effective Citizens

  • have a strong sense of how society's goals and their own personal goals relate

  • are aware of issues facing society and are willing to take action

  • are aware that many people think differently than they do

  • are prepared to accept the differences of others while not necessarily changing their own viewpoint

  • realize the importance of everyone taking part in influencing the direction of society

  • understand how to influence the decisions of society in practical and effective ways

Responsible citizens have a worldview that their actions both inside and outside their own sphere affect directly themselves and others. Their ideology promotes direct action in society through volunteering, being leaders in various groups, perhaps even running for elected office.



3. Conclusion

Citizens in democratic societies can act on their feelings of what their rights, roles and responsibilities are in many different ways, depending on the situation and their ideological beliefs.  For example, some demonstrate their respect for for law and order by joining citizens' groups, such as Citizens on Patrol.  Some participate in the political process by voting, writing letters, or supporting a political party.  Some support humanitarian causes by volunteering their time or raising funds.  Some participate in civil disobedience by peacefully demonstrating or protesting to draw attention to an issue.