Civics

Individuals can also help solve social problems. An individual's skills in such activities as farming and medicine can be used to inform people and to help find solutions to global issues. Donating money and volunteering time can make a real difference. Even simple daily opportunities, such as putting a can in a recycling bin or turning off unnecessary lights, are helpful to the world as a whole. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Describe how people can use their skills to deal with global problems - Explore examples of people who have made a difference in the world - List several small actions that can help solve global problems

The increased life span of the average American and technical advances in medicine have both contributed to the rising cost of healthcare in the United States. Many Americans receive health coverage through their jobs, and the federal government supplements insurance coverage for the poor and for senior citizens. Although several reforms have been suggested and implemented, the strain of the high cost of health care is still proving to be a challenge for the federal government and every American citizen. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Explain why rising health care costs are a concern for all Americans - Explore the public policy issues behind the health care debate - Describe ways that individuals are helping to improve health care in their communities

Through the Revolutionary War and afterward, the new American nation set out to govern itself. The 13 newly independent states maintained order using constitutions, while the Continental Congress struggled to operate under the Articles of Confederation. Numerous crises during the post-war period illustrated a need for a revision of national interests. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Describe the state and national governments Americans established after winning independence - Analyze reasons why many Americans wanted a stronger national government

Immigrants from Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, coming to America for a variety of reasons, continue to enhance our national culture. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Explain why people from other countries come to America - Identify the five major groups of Americans - Describe how diversity has affected American society

To deal with the world's problems, nations have set up permanent organizations such as the United Nations. Non-governmental organizations have also been established to solve specific problems such as feeding the hungry and helping victims of war or natural disasters. In order to achieve their goals, these organizations need the cooperation of all nations. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Examine how the United Nations is organized to deal with global problems - Explain how nongovernmental organizations are helping to solve global problems - Explore factors that can weaken or strengthen the impact of international organizations

People want many things from government and political parties help them achieve these goals. Political parties establish positions on issues, set goals for the government, and provide leadership to reach those goals. The parties help link citizens to government by providing ways for them to participate in government. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Explain how political parties help government function - Describe ways that political parties link citizens to their government

Every 16 seconds a violent crime takes place in the United States, while every three seconds a property crime occurs. It is understandable then that Americans are concerned about crime. In general, cities and poor neighborhoods have more crimes than rural areas or wealthy neighborhoods. Opinions about the cause of crime vary and include: poverty, rapid social change, unhappy family life, and drug use. These and many other aspects of our modern society have been blamed for causing crime. People do not agree about which of these causes is most important. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Understand why crime is a major problem in the United States - Summarize the major types of crimes - Analyze important causes of crime

The states have created five common forms of local government. These include counties, townships, New England towns, special districts, and cities. The county is the oldest unit. Boards govern counties by passing ordinances, or local laws. Special districts are used to provide a single service to a community, such as a school district or a sewer district. Municipalities are city governments that serve people in urban areas. VIDEO OBJECTIVES - Explore the origin and purpose of counties and townships - Describe the role of citizens in running a New England town - Explain why special districts are created - Contrast the mayor-council and council-manager plans of city government