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Moving into citizenship: teaching toward common ground

In the United States of America, we hold the notion of “citizenship” in a special, almost sacred status. We have great debates over who gets to be a citizen and who should be denied this privilege, for that is how it is conceived—as a privilege. If you are a first-year student at UNH, you are likely just achieving full citizenship as you turn 18 this year. Prior to this point, your exercise of free speech, the right to assembly, the right to vote, the right to sit on a jury, and in general the right to determine independently where you will live, who you will associate with, or how you will express your religious convictions have all been limited by the authority of your parents as well as the government. With the happenstance of your 18th birthday, you have moved into full citizenship and assumed both the rights and responsibilities of this exalted status. What does it mean to be a citizen not only of this country but of the world? What special privileges come with this new status, and what special obligations will be thrust on you?