• Principles/values of U.S. founding documents
• Current issues of local/state/federal government
• Processes of public policymaking and lawmaking
• Actors/players/policymakers/stakeholders at all levels (government, CBO, education, etc.)
• How to participate in the civic process
• How/where to get information/resources
• Historical context/framework/evolution (including history of dissent/revolt)
• Roles of many different cultures

What are the skills of a good citizen?

• Getting along with people (peer mediation, conflict resolution)
• Research skills
• Oral presentation
• Ability to debate - understand another point of view
• Articulate beliefs
• Decision making
• Listening
• Facts vs. opinion
• Learning to organize a group, run a meeting, set goals (group interaction)

What values does one need to be a good citizen?

• Inclusion
• Respect for others
• Sense of responsibility
• Tolerance
• Value the rights of others
• Lessons from the past (own and others)
• Fairness
• Civil disobedience

What attitudes does one need to be a good citizen?

• Positive
• Good self-esteem
• Believe in the system
• Believe one has a voice in the system
• Belief in the future (hope)
• Own ideas are valuable (I have something to give)
• Sense of belonging (community)
• With rights comes the feeling of needing to act responsibly
• Wanting to learn/awareness

What commitments does one need to be a good citizen?

• Commitment to common good
• Willing participant
• Commitment to understanding system
• Commitment to tolerance
• Commitment to taking responsibility for own actions