(C.2.2) Learning Goal 2:  Evaluate the obligations citizens have to obey laws, pay taxes, defend the nation, and serve on juries. (Evalúe las obligaciones que tienen los ciudadanos de obedecer las leyes, pagar impuestos, defender a la nación y servir en los jurados)
ALSO ASSESSES:
(C.2.3) Learning Goal 3:  Experience the responsibilities of citizens at the local, state, or federal levels.
(C.2.14) Learning Goal 4: Conduct a service project to further the public good.
     Learning Targets

• Students will distinguish between an obligation or duty and a responsibility as it relates to citizenship.
• Students will recognize the concept of the common good as a rationale for fulfilling the obligations and/or responsibilities of citizenship.
• Students will evaluate the obligations and/or responsibilities of citizens as they relate to active participation in society and government.
• Students will examine the significant contributions of citizens to a democratic society.
• Students will use scenarios to assess specific obligations of citizens.
• Students will identify the consequences or predict the outcome on society of citizens who do not fulfill their citizenship responsibilities.
• Students will evaluate the impact of civic participation on society, government, or the political process.

Civics Content Vocabulary

• citizen, common good, obligation, responsibility, selective service
• Obligations of Citizenship
   
  Obey laws
  Legislatures and chief executives are elected by citizens in a democracy; these legislatures and chief executives are elected to represent citizen interests.   Courts interpret whether these laws cohere to the U.S. Constitution.  Citizens and non-citizens alike are obligated to obey laws whether they agree with them or not.  Citizens and non-citizens who choose not to obey the laws may be prosecuted for their crimes; non-citizens who choose not to obey the laws may also be deported. 
  
  Pay taxes
  Taxes support government functions.   Legislatures and chief executives enact tax laws the same as they do other laws.  The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows Congress to impose an income tax.  The U.S. Supreme Court may not find income taxes unconstitutional because income taxes are protected by the 16th Amendment. 
  
  Defend the nation
  Swear allegiance to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies.
  
  Selective service
  Selective service is a system by which men (both citizens and resident aliens) ages 18 through 25 register with the U.S. government for military service.  Selective service is not a draft; however, it is from the names included among those registered for selective service that a person drafted will be selected.
  
  Serve on juries
  The sixth amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides for a trial by jury in most cases as follows:
   
  “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed…”
   
  Citizens who have reached the age of majority may be called upon to serve on juries.  
  
  Responsibilities of Citizenship  
   
  Voting
  Citizens have a responsibility for selecting public officials who will represent their interests in government. 
  
  Attending civic meetings
  Civic meetings are ways for citizens to be active participants in their government.  Interest groups, political parties, candidates for public office, religious organizations, the media and public officials hold civic meetings in order to inform and learn from the public. 
  
  Petitioning government
  The right of individuals to come together with others and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests.  This includes the right to assemble in public places, and the right to join an association.  Peaceable assembly is also understood as freedom of association.  The U.S Supreme Court has upheld laws requiring general permits, as well as prosecutions for illegal demonstrations under certain circumstances.
   
  The right of individuals to express themselves must be balanced against the need to maintain public order.
  People are protected when they bring to the government’s attention their unresolved concerns, provide information to political leaders about unpopular policies and issues, and expose government misconduct.  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that regulation of assembly may not be used to stifle dissent; unpopular groups may not be prevented from gathering based on the nature of the group’s message.
  
  
  Running for office
  Running for or being appointed to serve in public office as well as serving in public office
  
  
  

Common good - beliefs or actions that are seen as a benefit to the larger community rather than individual interests. Common good can also be called the public good.

obligation (something that is required to do) or a responsibility (something citizens do to benefit the common good)

example of a jury summons from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Citrus County, FL: http://www.clerk.citrus.fl.us/nws/home.jsp?section=3&item=36