Civics and Citizenship Notes

Civics Overview

  • Definition of Civics

    • Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizenship.

    • Essential for understanding civic responsibilities and privileges in Canada.

  • Rights and Duties of Citizens

    • As a citizen of Canada, there are certain rights (e.g., voting) and duties (e.g., obeying laws).

    • Graduation from school (e.g., Massey) grants rights and entails responsibilities.

  • Citizen's Role in Government

    • Civics focuses on how citizens interact with various levels of government, namely:

    • Municipal Government: Local government responsibilities and elections.

    • Provincial Government: Regional governance affecting provincial policies.

    • Federal/National Government: National policies and federal elections.

    • Each level plays a role in democratic decision-making, aside from the ceremonial role of the monarchy (e.g., the King).

Citizenship and Education

  • Purpose of Civic Education

    • The course aims to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities in the Canadian political system.

    • Importance of informed voting as a citizen's responsibility when they reach adulthood.

  • Understanding Democracy

    • A basic understanding of democracy is vital for effective participation.

    • The course will involve mock voting during elections to practice democratic participation.

Decision-Making Processes

  • Types of Decision-Making

    1. Democratic Decision Making:

    • Decisions made by majority vote (e.g., family decisions on vacations).

    1. Autocratic Decision Making:

    • A single person's decision affects the group (e.g., a parent deciding the family's vacation).

    1. Collaborative/Conceptual Decision Making:

    • Group consensus is required for decisions (e.g., all family members agreeing on a destination).

Personal Reflections on Politics

  • Experience with Politics

    • Personal anecdotes of involvement in politics, such as volunteering for a friend's political campaign, stressing that civic engagement can take different forms.

    • Acknowledgment that political engagement may not be for everyone and preferring sciences for objective truths.

  • Global Citizenship

    • Potential discussions on global citizenship might occur later if time allows, focusing on responsibilities beyond national borders.

Responsibilities of Citizenship

  • Being a Good Citizen

    • The course aims to define what makes a good citizen within various communities: classroom, school, and broader society.

    • Emphasis on making informed decisions that impact community and national well-being.

  • Homework Assignment

    • A worksheet about decision-making processes will be assigned and must be completed with detail, illustrating understanding of civic responsibilities.