Merit Badge Workbook Merit Badge History

Citizenship in the World - In-Person Class Notes

Please be courteous and arrive early for registration and instructions PRIOR to your scheduled class start time. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.

It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.

The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.

Things to remember to bring for this merit badge class:

  • Your BSA ID # (not your Scoutbook ID #)
  • If you do not have your BSA ID # (or did not provide it with your online registration) you will need a Merit badge blue card properly filled out and signed off by your Scout Leader
  • Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Pamphlet
  • Scout uniform
  • Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to the Citizenship in the World merit badge, which may also include a merit badge workbook for reference with notes
  • A positive Scouting focus and attitude

If you are unfamiliar with the Blue Card Process, please read and understand the Scoutmaster Bucky Blue Card Process.

Citizenship in the World - Online Class Notes

Scoutmaster Bucky Online Class links will be sent out 12 to 24 hours prior to the class start time. Notification will be sent to the email address provided in the registration, so please make sure your email is correctly entered.

Please be courteous and arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Ensure that your internet connection, camera, microphone, and broadcasting environment are working and optimal for class participation. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.

It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.

The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
Current Scouts BSA Requirements
as of February 17, 2023

Please make sure you read the top portion of this page for general participation expectations in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge class.

Pay careful attention to the action verbs within the requirements. An example to note:

"Tell", "explain", "describe", and "discuss" are commonly used and will require the Scout to perform these actions during the class. When these action verbs are a part of any requirement, Scouts are expected to be prepared to share. Reading responses is not acceptable since it does not fulfill the requirement of showing the Scout's knowledge and understanding.

Note: This merit badge requires a lot of explanation and discussion in order to complete most requirements.  This class is structured to offer explanation and discussion time for Scouts in a small group setting to offer both learning and earning opportunity. Scouts MUST come to the class with preparation work in order to successfully complete these requirements. It will be nearly impossible for Scouts who do not have preparation work done to successfully partake in the group discussions or provide acceptable explanation if they do not have prior knowledge of the requirements and answers prior to the class.
1.
Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.
Scouts should formulate a written answer for this requirement prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of classroom discussion.
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.
Scouts should have this written out to show the counselor that some thought and research has gone into this requirement and Scouts should be prepared to discuss their findings. Scouts will not automatically be signed off on this requirement just for attending as the requirement states that they must discuss a number of items and will be required to partake in group and/or individual discussion to obtain credit.
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, history, 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.
Scouts should be prepared to share their findings with the class and should be prepared with this requirement prior to the class. 1/2 of this requirement is preparation and research, the other 1/2 which will be facilitated in the class is the discussion. Scouts cannot complete this requirement by only doing one or the other, both parts must be done for each component. Scouts not coming to class with preparation work will find it difficult, if not impossible to complete this requirement on the day of the class. Preparation is a MUST for this requirement along with active class participation during the discussion.
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’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.
The United Nations and UNICEF
2.
The World Court
3.
Interpol
4.
World Organization of the Scout Movement
5.
The World Health Organization
6.
Amnesty International
7.
The International Committee of the Red Cross
8.
CARE (Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere)
9.
European Union
This class will focus on requirements 4A and 4C. For both requirements, It is recommended that Scouts should formulate an answer prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of the classroom discussions.
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.
For all three of the components of this requirement, it is strongly recommended to use the Scoutmaster Bucky Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Workbook to document discussion points, explanations, and mappings to support one's findings for this requirement. Scouts should be prepared to explain, discuss, and share their work in the class discussion of this requirement.
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.
1.
Ambassador
2.
Consul
3.
Bureau of International Information Programs
4.
Agency for International Development
5.
United States and Foreign Commercial Service
c.
Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel.
This requirement will be covered within the class, however, Scouts should familiarize themselves with the requirement and the corresponding section(s) within the Merit Badge Pamphlet so as to have a basic understanding prior to the class.
7.
Do TWO of the following (with your parent’s permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:
a.
Visit the website of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this website.
b.
Visit the website 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.

Currently NO components of Requirement 7 are guaranteed to be covered in the class and will be at the discretion and resources of the individual counselor who may or may not provide classroom support for these.

PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER: Scouts who can bring documented proof of completing any of these requirements will have an opportunity to share with the counselor their accomplishments and potentially be signed off on those requirements (remember completion of requirements is at the discretion of each individual counselor). It is STRONGLY recommended Scouts interested in completing this merit badge bring their work for requirement 7 to the class. If the work meets the satisfaction of the merit badge counselor, (saying you did it is not enough, you need to bring proof), most counselors will sign off on the requirement.