Description:

What? ...So What? ...Now What?

Are there issues that you care about but you do not know how you can make a difference? Have you ever wondered what rights and responsibilities you have? What does citizenship mean? Who makes decisions on our behalf? How would our lives be different if different decisions were made?

These difficult questions are at the core of civics. In civics, we ask questions to better understand what is improtant to us - as family members, friends, students, residents citizens and members of global communities. We look at the issues in the world around us and ask, What? ...So what? ...Now what? By finding the answers, we can learn how to have our say and take part in the decisions that make a difference in all of our lives.

Introduction Goals:

• Develop an understanding of how to influence change in you communities
• Describe beliefas and values associated with democratic citizenship in Canada
• Assess ways in which people express their perspectives on issues of civic importance

A BRIEF TOUR OF YOUR TEXT

UNIT 1. You learn about your rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen and how your first steps as an engaged citizen can begin in your own community.

UNIT 2. Focusses on the structure and roles of government and discusses the various participants involved in the political process - including you.

UNIT 3. Provides and understanging of politics around the world and the importance of taking action, in groups or as individuals, to fight for globbal human rights.