You obey the law on the road, you wait for the age when you can vote, you have heard of the Union Parishad. Do all of these belong to one subject? Yes. The scope of Civics and Citizenship is that wide, and the book ties it down into four parts.
1. Civics in two senses
From the perspective of subject matter, civics can be discussed in two senses: the broader and the narrower.
Think of the two senses as two lenses. Switch the lens, then drop in one matter at a time and see whether it falls inside civics.
two lensesswitch the sense, pick a matter
narrow or broad
In the broader sense, civics deals with all matters related to citizenship. In the narrower sense, only rights and duties are its subject matter. Narrow means the smaller scope. Tap a cell in the grid below.
gridtap a cell
Two senses
sense
what is discussed
Broader sense
all matters related to citizenship
Narrower sense
rights and duties
In the broader sense, everything tied to citizenship is for civics to discuss.
In the narrower sense, only a citizen's rights and duties. The scope is smaller.
2. The four parts of the scope
The scope has four parts: (1) citizens' rights and duties, (2) social and political institutions, (3) the local, national and international dimensions of citizenship, (4) the past, present and future of citizenship.
Under the first part: as citizens we enjoy state-given social, political, economic and fundamental rights, and we perform responsibilities and duties to the state.
Examples of duties: expressing allegiance to the state, abiding by laws, paying taxes at the right time, educating children, serving the state, casting votes with honesty.
The characteristics of good citizenship, the barriers to earning it and the ways to remove those obstacles are also discussed in this subject.
The second part covers social and political institutions: family, society, the state, election and political parties.
Along with these, social values, law, liberty and equality, constitution and public opinion are also subject matters of Civics and Citizenship.
3. Local, national, international
The third part has three levels. Local: Union Parishad, Pourashava and City Corporation. National: legislature, executive and judiciary. International: the Commonwealth and the UN.
Start from one citizen and move outward: which institutions sit on each ring?
three ringsdrag the level
near to far
Civics and Citizenship deals with the structure, functions and contribution of these institutions and their relationships with citizens. Tap each chip and check its level.
spot themthe book's three levels
Level of the institution
Local. The Union Parishad is a local-level institution.
Local. The Pourashava is local too.
Local. The City Corporation is local-level.
National. The legislature is a national-level institution.
National. The executive is national-level.
National. The judiciary is national-level.
International. The Commonwealth is an international-level institution.
International. The UN is international-level.
All eight seen. Three local, three national, two international.
4. Past to future, and why we study it
The fourth part is about time. Based on how citizenship was determined in the past, how rights and duties were, and the present status of a citizen, the subject gives guidelines for citizenship in the future.
So, by the scope the book gives, studying civics teaches us citizens' rights and duties, social and political institutions, local, national and international institutions, and guidance for future civic life. That is why it is worth studying.
Now drop a few examples into the right one of the four parts.
sort themrecall the four parts
Which part?
Pick up a chip, then drop it in a box.
Right. Next one.
Not yet. Ask: is this a duty, an institution, a level, or a matter of time?
All in place. The Union Parishad and the UN both belong to the third part, only the level differs.
5. Check yourself
Three questions in the exam's style. Start with the first.
check yourselfpick one answer
Question 1
Which of the following is among the duties to the state?
Right. Paying taxes at the right time is a duty to the state.
That is not the answer: Arranging food for the family. Paying taxes at the right time is a duty to the state.
That is not the answer: Growing crops on agricultural land. Paying taxes at the right time is a duty to the state.
That is not the answer: Setting up a cottage industry. Paying taxes at the right time is a duty to the state.
The second is about the scope too.
check yourselfpick one answer
Question 2
The subject matter of Civics includes-
i. i. the past of citizens ii. ii. the present of citizens iii. iii. the future of citizens
This combination does not match; the true statements are i, ii and iii. The past, present and future of citizenship are all part of the scope of Civics.
This combination does not match; the true statements are i, ii and iii. The past, present and future of citizenship are all part of the scope of Civics.
This combination does not match; the true statements are i, ii and iii. The past, present and future of citizenship are all part of the scope of Civics.
Right. The past, present and future of citizenship are all part of the scope of Civics.
For the last one, recall the book's examples.
check yourselfpick one answer
Question 3
The Chief Adviser of Bangladesh recently addressed a session of the UN General Assembly. Which dimension of citizenship does this institution indicate?
That is not the answer: National. The UN is an institution at the international level.
Right. The UN is an institution at the international level.
That is not the answer: Local. The UN is an institution at the international level.
That is not the answer: Regional. The UN is an institution at the international level.
The whole note on a few cards.
cut from the notetap to turn over
Seven cards
QuestionWhat does civics deal with in the broader sense?
AnswerAll matters related to citizenship.
QuestionWhat is the subject matter of civics in the narrow sense?
AnswerCitizens' rights and duties.
QuestionWhat are the four parts of the scope of Civics and Citizenship?
AnswerRights and duties; social and political institutions; local, national and international dimensions; past, present and future.
QuestionWhat five examples of social and political institutions does the book give?
AnswerFamily, society, the state, election and political parties.
QuestionWhich institutions are examples of the local level of citizenship?
AnswerUnion Parishad, Pourashava and City Corporation.
QuestionName the two international institutions the book gives as examples.
AnswerThe Commonwealth and the United Nations.
QuestionAccording to the book, why is the study of civics necessary?
AnswerIt tells us about citizens' rights and duties, social and political institutions, local, national and international institutions, and guidance for future civic life.
Source: Civics and Citizenship, Classes 9-10 (NCTB), Chapter 1 “Civics and Citizenship”, the “Scope or Span of Civics and Citizenship” part.