As a result of this course, you will have the ability to : Report on your participation in community events or organizations.

ons. Defend your position on current social and ethical issues. Analyze media representations of issues related to ethics and citizenship. Respect other cultures and viewpoints in college and community settings.

What is Active Citizenship? The idea that members of communities (you) have power, roles, and responsibilities to society Although those members may not have specific roles in government, they have a crucial role to play this is a class about the most important element of Canadian society: YOU as Citizen o Age o Gender o Class o Language o Ethnicity o Disability Everyone in Canadian and global society is supported by a web of interconnections This course explores the connections between: o the individual citizen o the communities to which they belong o governmental representation o the strata that bind and separate us

Examines how our rights and responsibilities are exercised and shaped by: o Values o Ways of Thinking o Governance o Ethics o Media o Communities

Fundamental Questions the responsibilities of a citizen in Canadian democracy balancing our rights and those mutual responsibilities in our day-to-day lives being more ethical and thoughtful about our actions, and the actions of others Why Active Citizenship? 1.) To teach critical thinking about your own life and role in the community = success in society o Democracy depends on people who actively participate o People must be free-thinking and willing to critically analyze themselves and the world around them 2.) To emphasize critical thinking as an important employability skill. = success in career o Critical Thinking and problem solving ability are desired by employers o Critical Thinking leads to innovations o #1 most-desired employment skill : critically analyze and solve problems What Is Critical Analysis? Examination of the claims of theorists, governments, authorities Critical analysis helps you discover what these claims are based on. Examine evidence; look for support Asks: how do these claims apply to: Me? My community? My world? How are they relevant to a given situation? Are they logical?

People often mistakenly think that critical thinking is the same as offering ones opinion o More complex and rigorous(zenli) process o Must be able to support your conclusions with evidence Others mistake critical analysis of values, ideas, or beliefs to which one adheres as equal to a personal attack. o There is a difference between questioning someones beliefs and attacking them as a person

What you will learn in Active Citizenship The benefit of questioning your own ideas and the ideas of others Using analysis and critical thinking to better understand the world around you. o how to clearly, logically, and respectfully articulate and defend your position on social issues.

EXAMINING VALUES
Importance of Values to understand Active Citizenship, you should understand the importance of values to exercise your power, you must clearly define, articulate, defend, or adjust your conscious or unconscious values Personal Values What we do matters. Participating in our communities gives us: o A deeper understanding of ourselves o A chance to develop new skills o The ability to work together with others, and act on our deepest values and convictions