1. What are the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
Topic # 20
What are the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
Lesson Goal: Students will be able to explain:
the meaning of citizenship and how one becomes a citizen of the United States.
Some of the rights of citizens and the responsibilities that accompany those rights.

2. RAP: Create the following chart in your notebook
Amendment 1:
Freedom of Speech, Religion, Assembly, and Press
Amendment 2:
Right to bear arms
Amendment 3:
Quartering of Soldiers
Amendment 4:
Search and Arrest
Amendment 5:
Rights in criminal cases (includes jury)
Amendment 6:
Right to a fair trial
Amendment 7:
Rights in civil cases
Amendment 8:
Bail, Fines, and punishment
Amendment 9:
Rights retained by the people
Amendment 10:
States' rights

3. What is a citizen?
A legal member of a self-governing community, such as a state or nation.
In the U.S., there are no classes of citizens. Citizenship does not depend on
Your race
Your gender
Your ethnic origin

4. How does a person become a citizen?
Every person born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen
Every person born to parents who are U.S. citizens is a U.S. citizen even if not born in the U.S.
A permanent resident, a person legally permitted to live here, may apply for citizenship.

5. What must a permanent resident do to become a citizen?
A permanent resident may apply for citizenship:
Must have been living here legally for five years.
Pass a test to show that he or she understands the history of the U.S. and the Constitution.
Must be of good moral character and demonstrate the ability to speak English.
The minor child of a naturalized citizen becomes a citizen of the U.S. when the parents do.

6. What are the rights of citizens?
Personal rights - Your freedom
to associate with whomever one pleases
on conscience and religion
on expression for creativity
to have children
to live where one chooses
to have privacy
to travel

7. What are the rights of citizens?
Political rights - Your rights to participate in the political process:
Due process of law and fair procedures
Equal protection under the law
Freedom to examine the conduct of public officials
Freedom of expression for political purposes
Freedom of political association and assembly
Freedom to seek and hold public office
Freedom to serve on juries
Freedom to vote in free, fair and regular elections

8. What are the rights of citizens?
Economic rights - Your rights to earn a living and to acquire and transfer property or to produce goods and services:
Freedom to acquire, use, and sell or give away property
Freedom to choose one’s work
Freedom to enter into lawful contracts
Freedom to establish and operate a business
Freedom to join professional associations and labor unions.

9. Rights It is reasonable and fair to place limits on most rights:
limited in certain situations.
Limited when there is a conflict with other rights, or important values and interests
They are not absolute.
Most people agree that the only right that cannot be limited is the freedom of belief.

10. Responsibilities of a Citizen
Citizens do not always agree on their responsibilities.

11. Responsibilities of a Citizen
Personal responsibilities:
Accepting the consequences of one’s actions
Adhering to moral principles
Behaving in a civil manner
Considering the rights and interests of others
Supporting one’s family
Taking care of one’s self

12. Responsibilities of a Citizen
Civil responsibilities:
Being informed about political issues
Voting and deciding how to vote
Keeping watch over political leaders and governmental agencies
Taking appropriate action if they do not follow constitutional principles
Obeying the laws

13. Responsibilities of a Citizen
Civil responsibilities (continued):
Participating in civic groups
Paying taxes
Respecting the rights of others
Serving as a juror
Serving in the armed forces

14. Citizens Must be aware of their rights
Learn to use their rights responsibly
Personal and civic responsibility is necessary in a self-governing, free, and just society.

15. Unjust laws
You have the right to try to have laws changed. However, you are held responsible until the law is changed.
Some believe that if a law is unjust, the citizen has no responsibility to obey it. (civil disobedience)
There are consequences for disobeying a law:
Paying fines and/or
Jail

16. WIO
There are several famous examples of people who have willfully disobeyed a law they believed was unjust. You may
Explain the situation. Include:
Who was involved.
What law was deemed unjust?
Was the law changed? How do you agree or disagree with the situation?