UNIT 3
CITIZENSHIP:
Political Recognition & Personal Responsibility

OBJECTIVES 1) Understand the nature of citizenship 2) Understand the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship 3) Understand one's role in the civic life of the nation 4) Participate in discussion, problem-solving, writing and presentation 5) Pursue Internet research on citiziship and basic terms

TOOLS and MATERIALS 1) Web access for online projects and research 2) Surveys and handouts

ACTIVITIES 1) Group Activity 1: The Oath of Citizenship 2) Group Activity 2: Sample civics test from the INS 3) Group Activity 3: Learning the history of the word "Citizenship"

SUMMARY of the LESSON

This lesson will explore the character of American citizenship. Citizenship means different things in different times and places. Citizenship reveals the kind of relationship that exists between the individual and his or her political community. At its most basic level, citizenship is a matter of political recognition and responsibility. Recognition includes all the different rights and freedoms a community extends to its members. Responsibility includes the role the individual plays in preserving those rights and freedoms. The word history lesson will help you understand how the meaning of words connects to history, foreign languages and cultures.