Citizenship in the World | Merit Badge Courses

Important Notes:

Pre-work is required. Be prepared to discuss your completed work during the class.
If pre-work is not completed and discussed, you will not receive your Blue Card, as the requirements will not be met.

There are some prerequisites that you need to finish before coming to the online session.

Zoom Link: Scouts will attend the online zoom session using a zoom link sent to the email address you used to register. If you don't see that email check your spam and junk folder.

Step 2: To receive your blue card, Scouts must complete the Online Classroom located here: https://form.jotform.com/223183232891152

Step 3: Some Merit Badge Requirements must be completed beforehand. Please read below for the prerequisites

Merit Badge Prerequisites:

Requirement #2: PREREQUISITE

Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.

Preparation:
This requirement will be completed during the session. Please be prepared to share your thoughts on the following questions:

What are some of the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens?
Why do you think it's important for citizens to fulfill their duties and obligations, such as voting or obeying the law, in a constitutional government?

Reminder:
We expect responses from each of you during the discussion, so take some time to think about these questions in advance. Brief answers are fine but should reflect your understanding and perspective.

Requirement #3a: PREREQUISITE

Do the following:
a) Pick a current world event. In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country's national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as" its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.

Be prepared to share your thoughts on the following questions during the online session about the current event The War in Ukraine:

- How can other countries help Ukraine without starting a bigger war

- How does war make life harder for people, especially when it comes to staying safe and healthy?

- How has the war affected other countries, even if they aren’t fighting in it?

Requirement #3b: PREREQUISITE
b) Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries.

Be prepared to share your thoughts on the following questions during the online session about Brazil:

- How do a country’s natural resources affect the jobs people have and what they sell to other countries?

- Why do some countries trade with each other a lot, while others don’t? What makes trading easy or hard?

Requirement #5: PREREQUISITE

Do the following:

Discuss the differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments.
Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world.
Show on a world map countries that use each of these five different forms of government.

Preparation:
This requirement will be completed during the session. Please be prepared to share your thoughts on the following questions:

What are some differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments?
Why do you think constitutional governments are generally more stable than non-constitutional ones?
Can you think of examples of both? How might the lives of citizens differ under a constitutional

How to submit completed work:

Use the Online Classroom: https://form.jotform.com/223183232891152
The online classroom does not auto-save work.
You need to hit the save button to save a draft.
Saved Drafts are auto-deleted after 2 months so save your work in your own WORD doc or Google Doc and copy and paste into the online classroom.
Scouts have three months to complete this.

Blue Cards:

Upon submitting work in the online classroom and approval from our merit badge counselor, Scouts will be issued a digital blue card signed by our merit badge counselor. This can be done with a digital PDF or signed on Scoutbook.com

Camera Requirement

All participants MUST have their cameras on during online sessions.
If you are unable to turn your camera on, you will not be allowed to stay in the session and will need to rebook at your parent/guardian's expense.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirements

1. Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.

2. Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.

3. Do the following:

(a) Pick a current world event. In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country's national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.
(b) Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries.

4. Do TWO of the following:

(a) Explain international law and how it differs from national law. Explain the role of international law and how international law can be used as a tool for conflict resolution.
(b) Using resources such as major daily newspapers, the Internet (with your parent or guardian's permission), and news magazines, observe a current issue that involves international trade, foreign exchange, balance of payments, tariffs, and free trade. Explain what you have learned. Include in your discussion an explanation of why countries must cooperate in order for world trade and global competition to thrive.
(c) Select TWO of the following organizations and describe their role in the world.
(1) United Nations and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
(2) International Court of Justice (The World Court)
(3) International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
(4) World Organization of the Scout Movement
(5) World Health Organization (WHO)
(6) Amnesty International
(7) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
(8) Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE)
(9) European Union

5. Do the following:

(a) Discuss the differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments.
(b) Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world.
(c) Show on a world map countries that use each of these five different forms of government.

6. Do the following:

(a) Explain how a government is represented abroad and how the United States government is accredited to international organizations.
(b) Describe the roles of the following in the conduct of foreign relations: ambassador, consul, Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), Agency for International Development, United States and Foreign Commercial Service
(c) Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel.

7. Do TWO of the following (with your parent or guardian's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:

(a) Visit the web site of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this web site.
(b) Visit the web site of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand. Find a news story about a human right realized in the United States that is not recognized in another country.
(c) Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions practiced or enjoyed there.
(d) Attend a world Scout jamboree.
(e) Participate in or attend an international event in your area, such as an ethnic festival, concert, or play.

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