Grade 9 Citizenship Education Textbook PDF

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This will keep the cover in good condition. 2 CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION STUDENT TEXTBOOK Grade 9 Writers: Bizuayehu Daba Feyisa (M.A.) Kaso Teha Nura (M.A.) Editors: Haileyesus Wudu Mekonnen (Ph.D.) (Curriculum Editor) Mengistu Dinato Didena (Ph.D.) (Language Editor) Yohannes Eshetu Mamuye (M.A.) (Content Editor) Illustrator: Muluneh Hailu Heyi (MSc.) Designer: Solomon Damena Kebede (MSc.) Evaluators: Dereje Mekonnen Deressa (M.A.) Esubalew Wondim Zegeye (M.A.) Wubneh Taye Biyadgie (M.A.) FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA HAWASSA UNIVERSITY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION First Published August 2023 by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Education, under the General Education Quality Improvement Program for Equity (GEQIP-E) supported by the World Bank, UK’s Department for International Development/ DFID-now merged with the Foreign, Common wealth and Development Office/FCDO, Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, United Nations Children’s Fund/UNICEF), the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a Multi Donor Trust Fund. © 2023 by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Education. All rights reserved. The moral rights of the author have been asserted. No part of this textbook reproduced, copied in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, magnetic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Ministry of Education or licensing in accordance with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as expressed in the Federal Negarit Gazeta, Proclamation No. 410/2004 - Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection. The Ministry of Education wishes to thank the many individuals, groups and other bodies involved – directly or indirectly – in publishing this Textbook. Special thanks are due to Hawassa University for their huge contribution in the development of this textbook in collaboration with Addis Ababa University, Bahir Dar University and Jimma University. Copyrighted materials used by permission of their owners. If you are the owner of copyrighted material not cited or improperly cited, please contact the Ministry of Education, Head Office, Arat Kilo, (P.O.Box 1367), Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Printed by: GRAVITY GROUP IND LLC P.O.Box 13TH Industr ial Ar ea, Shar jah UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Under Ministry of Education Contract no. MOE/GEQIP-E/LICB/G-01/23 ISBN: 978-99990-0-080-2 4 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook CONTENTS Introduction......................................................................... V UNIT 1: ETHICAL VALUES................................................... 1 1.1. The meaning of ethics...........................................................................................2 1.2. Major ethical values.............................................................................................5 1.3. The importance of ethical values of citizens......................................................21 1.4. Aspects of applied ethics.....................................................................................23 Unit summary...............................................................................................................29 Glossary.........................................................................................................................29 Unit review exercises.....................................................................................................30 UNIT 2: THE CULTURE OF USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.. 32 2.1. The concept of digital technology........................................................................33 2.2. Culture and digital technology............................................................................36 2.3. The Purpose of digital technology......................................................................39 2.4. Codes of conduct for using digital technology...................................................43 2.5. Effective communication through digital media...............................................46 2.6. Challenges of using digital media.......................................................................48 Unit summary...............................................................................................................51 Glossary.........................................................................................................................51 Unit review exercises.....................................................................................................52 I Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook UNIT 3: Constitution and Constitutionalism.................... 54 3.1. Understanding constitution..............................................................................55 3.2. Understanding constitutionalism.....................................................................60 3.3. Constitutional experiances of Ethiopia.............................................................64 Unit summary...............................................................................................................69 Glossary.........................................................................................................................69 Unit review exercises.....................................................................................................70 UNIT 4: UNDERSTANDING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE..... 72 4.1. The concept of indigenous knowledge................................................................73 4.2. The role of indigenous knowledge in producing responsible citizens...............75 4.3. The role of indigenous social institutions in solving problems of communities........................................................................................................................................82 Unit summary...............................................................................................................86 Glossary.........................................................................................................................86 Unit review exercises.....................................................................................................87 UNIT 5: MULTICULTURALISM IN ETHIOPIA.................. 89 5.1. Understanding culture........................................................................................90 5.2. The concept of multiculturalism........................................................................94 5.3. Pillars of multicultural societies.........................................................................97 5.4. Major forms of diversity demonstrating multiculturalism............................101 Unit summary.............................................................................................................104 II Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Glossary.......................................................................................................................105 Unit review exercises...................................................................................................106 UNIT 6: NATIONAL UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY.......... 108 6.1. Unity in diversity..............................................................................................109 6.2. Elements of diversity.........................................................................................113 6.3. Accomodation of diversity................................................................................116 6.4. The importance of diversity management in Ethiopia...................................119 Unit summary.............................................................................................................123 Glossary.......................................................................................................................123 Unit review exercises...................................................................................................124 UNIT 7: PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS............................. 126 7.1. Meaning of problem-solving skills...................................................................127 7.2. The importance of problem-solving skills......................................................131 7.3. Characteristics of good problem solver...........................................................134 7.4. Ways to improve one’s problem solving skills..................................................139 Unit summary.............................................................................................................144 Glossary.......................................................................................................................145 Unit review exercises...................................................................................................146 III Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook UNIT 8: ETHIOPIA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS IN EAST AFRICA...................................................................................... 148 8.1. The concepts of foreign relations......................................................................149 8.2. Instruments of foreign policy............................................................................153 8.3. The roles of foreign policy................................................................................156 Unit Summary.............................................................................................................161 GLOSSARY.................................................................................................................162 Unit Review Exercises.................................................................................................162 IV UNIT 1 ETHICAL VALUES Introduction * Learning outcomes: In this unit, you will learn about the At the end of this unit, you will ethical values of citizens. As citizens be able to: we can make our society and country Understand the ethical values of better and civilized only when we citizens have the commitment to demonstrate Appreciate the major ethical values meaningfully those ethical values of citizens expected from us in our daily life. This is Demonstrate ethical values expected because a society without ethical values to form good citizens can be a miserable place for everyone. Recognize the importance and Unit one is hoped to enable you to characteristics of applied ethics learn about the major ethical values, the importance of ethical values and aspects * Lessons of applied ethics such as professional 1. The Meaning of Ethics ethics and environmental ethics. 2. Major Ethical Values Key Words and Concept: Abiding by the law, Commitment to 3. The importance of ethical values excellence, Environmental Ethics, of citizens Ethics, Helping others, Integrity, 4. Aspects of applied ethics Keeping promise, Loyalty, Morality, Professional Ethics, Respecting others , Values Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 1 1.1. LESSON The meaning of ethics ⓵ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Define ethics ☑ Explain why being ethical is important in your daily life Brainstorming 偮 What does ethical or unethical mean? 偮 Have you ever heard when someone says, “Mr./Ms. X is ethical or unethical person?” In everyday language, the distinction between the terms ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’ is not always clear. Historically, the term ‘ethics’ comes from Greek ‘ethos’ which means the customs, habits and mores of people. Ethics is a discipline that deals with morality or it is a set of moral principles. From a theoretical or purely descriptive point of view, ethics is interested in the nature and origin of moral judgments. From a practical or prescriptive point of view, however, ethics is concerned with the particular norms, values or principles that ought to be used to arrive at proper moral judgments. Habitually all ethical questions involve a decision about what one should 2 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook do in a specific instance. Judgments about such decisions are generally expressed with words like right, and wrong, should and ought, and obligation and duty. Morality refers to the standards and principles used to determine the behaviors, decisions or actions of individuals as right or wrong, good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable. On the other hand, ethics is concerned with what is right or wrong, what is good or bad, or what is acceptable or not acceptable. Ethics is a human conduct and is applied in daily life to determine acceptable human behavior. It is concerned with what is good for individuals and society. Ethics impacts the behavior and demands an individual to take the right options. Managing life and acting responsibly is very hard without ethics. Ethics also refers to those values and principles that oblige someone to refrain from unethical acts such as rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud. It includes the virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty and standards relating to rights, such as the right to life, the right to freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Generally, ethics is a discipline that teaches us to follow the right way, to do the right thing and to refrain from bad or wrong doings. Case Study There are three students called X, Y and Z who attend Grade 9, section ‘A’. Student ‘X’ is very clever and ranks first from all sections. Student X and Z are sitting on the same bench in the class. From three of them, student Y and Z are best friends. Accordingly, student Z asks student Y to help him by coping the answers from student X during the final examiniation and to text him on mobile phone. But, student Y got angry and disappointed with the act of student Z. He told to student Z that he could never help him in this way, even if they are best friends....... Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 3.....Case Study Student Y believes that cheating in the exam is unethical act and serious academic dishonesty. Then, he advised student Z not to attempt cheating in the exams after this, and to work hard just like student X. Otherwise, he expressed that their friendship will come to an end. Then, student Z highly regretted with unethical act he did. Finally, he apologized his friend and promised him not to repeat the same act in his future academic life. Based on the above case study, attempt the following questions: 1. What do you learn from the above case study in relation to the concept of ethics? 2. From the acts of student Y and Z, whose act do you appreciate or depreciate? Why? Remember ü Ethics enables us to understand and distinguish what is moral and immoral or right and wrong, good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable. ü Managing life and acting responsibly is very hard without ethics. ü Ethics teaches us to follow the right way or do the right thing. 4 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook LESSON 1.2. Major ethical values ⓶ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Explain the major ethical values ☑ Advocate attributes of a person who has true integrity ☑ Demonstrate ethical values expected of good citizens Brainstorming 偮 What are the major ethical values you exhibit in your daily life? Ethics deals with those values that impose obligations on human beings to do the right thing and refrain from bad or wrong doings. Values are specific principles, beliefs, and standards, ideals that one holds as important and right. Values are the rules by which one makes decisions about right and wrong. It gives us a moral compass or direction. The major ethical values are discussed below in detail. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 5 Figure 1.1: Major Ethical Values Integrity Brainstorming 偮 Do you always do the right things? If your answer is ‘Yes’, why do you do the right thing? If, ‘No’, why do you fail to do the right things? Integrity refers to devotion to moral and ethical principles regarding our decisions and actions in our daily life. It also implies the quality of being honest or having strong moral principles. Integrity is when our behavior matches our beliefs. It’s when what we say and what we do match. We say an individual has integrity when 6 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook his/her private and public life aligns. People with integrity are generally known to be trustworthy, honest, and kind. This is a quality that everyone should strive for. In today’s Ethiopia, developing and preserving all necessary moral integrity as citizens is not a matter of choice, rather it is the responsibility of all of us. For instance, a person who has integrity has different responsibilities such as responsibility to humanity, responsibility to him/her self, responsibility to his/her family, responsibility to his/ her society, responsibility to his/her religion and responsibility to his/her country. So, integrity is about thinking critically and deciding on your behaviors and actions based on the moral values and principles rather than simply attending your personal interest. Case Study Ms. ‘X’ is a resident of Addis Ababa City. She has a building which is rented at a high rate per-month. However, due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in Ethiopia in 2019, she donated her building for the treatment of peoples infected with the pandemic. Ms. ‘X’ says that the money she get from renting the building is not more than the lives of patients at this difficult time to the country and the whole world. She also says that humanity can be measured by our kindness to others, not by our self-indulgence to fulfil only our personal desires. Based on the above case study, attempt the following questions: 1. What do you learn from Ms. ‘X’ from the point of integrity? 2. What is the advantage of being a person like Ms. ‘X’ oneself, one’s community and one’s country? Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 7 Attributes of a person who has true integrity Peoples with integrity have important qualities which we all should possess. Such people: A. Respect humanity: People with integrity believe that everyone deserves respect for the mere reason that he/she is a human being regardless of any considerations such as race, ethnicity, language, religion, place of birth, etc. B. Walk their talk: Persons with integrity are characterized by suiting their actions with their words. They have the moral courage and determination to do what they say. Such people have a good understanding about their moral obligations in the community and are committed enough in discharging those obligations. C. Are honest: persons of integrity are characterized by devotion to the facts. Such kind of persons do not have unethical behaviors such as lying, stealing, cheating, corruption, etc. For example, one of the manifestations of an individual’s integrity is honestly paying one’s taxes. Individuals who possess the ethical values of integrity are honest to themselves and don’t engage in activities that cheat and harm the public for the satisfaction of their self-interest. D. Take responsibility for their actions: Taking responsibility for any action that we do in our daily life is a great moral excellence which is expected from us. Taking responsibility is not a loss, rather it is a kind of ladder to success. E. Are kind: people with integrity are benevolent or kind hearted. They are also happy with the change and success of others. Such peoples are free from abnormal jealousy that can harm others and also they do not take the advantages of others. F. Know well their strengths and weaknesses: People with integrity appreciates their strengths and learn from their shortcomings for further self-improvements. G. Are hard workers: persons of integrity believe that a relief from poverty and hardships can be achieved only through the culture of working hard. H. Free from addiction: Addiction is misuse of substance (alcohol, smoking cigarette, chewing khat and drugs) and non-substance (gambling, etc) things that can affect one’s health, socio-economic and work performance. So, persons of integrity are free from those addictions. 8 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Case Study Ato Alemu and Ato Bulcha are owners of an infant formula milk importing company. Ato Alemu knowingly has been involving in contraband activities by importing infant formula milk products which are out of their expiry dates with the assistance of a friend of him working at customs duty offices that resulted in the loss of the life of many children. Ato Alemu shares some of the money he gets out of selling the products to his friend. Finally, Ato Alemu has been arrested for his illegal business activities and sentenced for 20 years. On the other hand, Ato Bulcha has been undertaking his business with integrity by distancing himself from illegal trade practices. He paid his due taxes honestly. He has been tempted to engage in contraband trade practices that would result in a huge personal advantage, though he resisted by upholding his integrity and public trust. Attempt the following questions based on the above case study? 1. Evaluate the business practices of Ato Alemu and Ato Bulcha with regard to ethical values of citizens? 2. How do you see the practices of the custom’s duty officer? And why does he involves in such practices? Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 9 How to enhance your integrity? You can enhance your integrity in the following ways. Make and keep commitments to yourself Stand for something – know your values and stick to them Be open – open your mind, heart and ears Activity 1.1 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. Which traits of a person with true integrity do you possess and which ones you don’t? 2. What are the advantages of having qualities of a person with true integrity for yourself and your community? 3. Can you mention the effects of loss of integrity on yourself, your community or your country? Promise keeping Brainstorming 偮 What is a promise? Promise refers to keeping a verbal commitment to do something to someone else. Keeping promise demand you to limit or sacrifice your wants in order to fulfill something for other people. Promises are actions that can create love, strong 10 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook friendships and smooth relationships with others. Promise is not something you do only for others. One can make promise for himself or herself to improve his/her life. For instance, a person who smokes cigarette can promise to himself to stop smoking. On the other hand, although we believe that promising something for someone is very important, we have to be careful that we should not promise something out of our boundary, because, we don’t make promises we can’t keep. Case Study Lemlem is grade 9 student in one of the schools in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, she is in a difficult situation to continue her education because there is no body to help her financially. One day she told some of her intimate classmates that she was going to stop her education due to the problem she was experiencing. After hearing this, her classmates felt sorry and started discussing how to help her. One of her classmates called Abdi, who is from a rich family, took the responsibility of convincing his family to help Lemlem so that she could continue her education. As a result, he presented Lemlem’s case to his family. Abdi’s family appreciated him for his noble idea and immediately decided to help Lemlem. Then, they met her in person and promised to help her with all possible means until she completes her education. Accordingly, Lemlem completed her education successfully without any problem by the help of Abdi’s family. Based on the above case study, attempt the following questions: 1. What do you learn from the action of Abdi’s family about promise keeping? 2. What are the advantages of keeping promise? Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 11 Activity 1.2 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. Can you remember something you promised to someone else? Did you keep your promise or not? 2. What are the consequences of breaking one’s promises? Loyalty Brainstorming 偮 Are you faithful to others? Loyalty is the attribute of being truthful/honest to an individual, a society, an institution or a country. It refers to the qualities and values of a person who is honest. Loyalty is primarily a matter of conscience, and it is also vital for many other matters. Loyalty is needed at work place, between friends, between a husband and a wife, between a lender and a debtor. It is a very essential ethical value in the socio-economic and political activities of a country. The issue of loyalty is of great social and national value. Individuals who are in charge of leading the people and the country should be honest and trustworthy. Public leaders or administrators should be loyal to their people and use the public property under their control in a fair and just manner. They should serve everyone equally regardless his/her ethnicity, place of birth, religion, language, sex, 12 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook etc. In the same way, employees or professionals working in a particular institution or organization should be loyal to their employer and the societies who seek their services. For example, professionals such as teachers, medical doctors, accountants, soldiers, engineers, etc. should serve their people and their country with loyalty. So, as good citizens, we need to be faithful in our family, in our neighborhood, community, friendship, school, work place, and faithful to the country at large. Activity 1.3 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. What are the consequences of the absence of loyalty in the family, friendship, relationships and workplace? 2. Go to government institutions nearby your school. Observe and ask employees of the institutions about the extent to which they are loyal to their institution and the peoples who seek their services. Ask them also about the advantages of being loyal. Then, reflect to the class what you found out. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 13 Concern for others Concern for others refers to the habits of having a place for, listening to or consider the needs and feelings of others. Concern for others means enabling or allowing others to participate in the decision making process that can affect them regarding the political, economic and social life. Concern for others is also about supporting others in times of difficulty or hardship. As citizens, it is our moral responsibility to be concerned for different sections of our societies who seek our support and care like peoples with disabilities, children, elders, women and peoples with HIV/AIDS. In our society there are good cultures of helping each other in different situations of their social life. For example, it is common to help each other in time of wedding ceremony, traditional cooperative systems (Debo/Jigi), when someone gets birth, mourning, during natural and man- made disasters, when a person is seriously sick, when someone is in a difficult economic problems, etc. Activity 1.4 Go to your community and identify whether there are concerns or special supports or not given to peoples with disabilities, street children, elders, women and peoples with HIV/AIDS by the communities, government or NGOs. Then, present your findings to the class with the facilitation of your teacher. Your activity work shall focus on the following questions: 1. What kinds of concerns or support given to them and what do you learn from that? 2. If there is not any concern for these peoples from concerned bodies, what kinds of possible solutions do you suggest? 14 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Respect for others Respecting is not something new or unfamiliar for us. It is a well-known moral value in our families, communities and the school. For instance, we have the culture of showing respect to our parents, elders, teachers, friends, neighbors and significant others. Respect is having positive feelings toward a person or treating a person with dignity regardless of ethnicity, religion, language, color, sex, economic background, disability and age (being a child or an adult). Thus, we have to respect each other for the mere reason that we are being human not for any other reason. Figure 1.2: Respecting each other We can be respectful to the people, things and places in the following ways. Using kind or polite words even when we are upset; Using manners like sharing, waiting our turn, saying please and thank you; Accepting difference or at least disagreeing with kind words; Being careful not to damage places or things; Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 15 Using a quiet voice or calm behavior in public places; Sharing resources, only taking what we really need. On the other hand, a person who may not respect others may: Face exclusion from other people Not get respect from other people Not have love of other people and good friendship Not get support in time of hardship Activity 1.5 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. Why is being respectful important in our life? 2. What are the impacts of not respecting others? Abiding by the law Abiding by the law refers to our willingness, commitment and responsibility to obey or follow the rules and regulations. Rules are prescribed standards, or guides, for our conduct in a society or in an organization, like school. Rules are principles and they help us to follow basic values and principles. For instance, we have the duty not to steal, not to cheat exams, not to commit corruption, and to respect the well-being of fellow citizens in our society. If we violate these rules, we will be punished, face condemnations and exclusion from the society. Laws and regulations, on the other hand, are written standards of action endorsed by authority. They are binding and you will be punished if you break them. For example, your school has its own rules and regulations which are considered the laws of the school. As a result, wearing school uniform, respecting teachers, being punctual, not cheating exams, etc. are some of the standards we need to respect. So, if you fail to respect these rules, you will be punished. 16 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Activity 1.6 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. Why do we need to abide by the law? 2. What are the consequences of not abiding by the laws? Commitment to excellence Commitment refers to one’s dedication to do something, whereas excellence refers to continuously building our inner strength and to face challenges. The journey of our life is not always smooth and luxurious. Rather it is full of ups and downs or hardships. However, our commitment to continuously face challenges or hardships that we face in our daily life can make us excellent and resilient citizens. The path that takes us to excellence is not short and easy. It is challenging and painful. Thus, commitment to excellence refers to taking full responsibility for our behaviors, decisions and actions or endeavors in every single situation in order to do great things or being excellent and resilient person in our life. For example, as a student you have to take full responsibility to engage in all of our academic endeavors in every single situation and place in order to score wonderful results at the end. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 17 Activity 1.7 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. What do you want to be in the future? teacher, doctor, pilot, engineer or accountant, etc? 2. What should you do in order to be what you want to be in the future? 3. How do you see what you will be from the perspective of commitment to excellence? Case Study Omod was a student from a very poor family. No one did help him from the time he had started his education until he completed it. He was working as a shoe-shiner in his time out of school. In addition to this, sometimes he served as a daily laborer. He supported himself with the income he earned this way and continued his education without support from anyone else. Surprisingly, Omod was a clever student in his education and he always ranked 1st from all sections until he completed his education. He never felt frustration and hopelessness by the lack of support...... 18 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook.....Case Study...... Rather, he was happy with all the hardships and he faced them continuously with great dedication to accomplish his vision. Finally, Omod scored straight ‘A’ in all subjects in grade 12 national examination. As a matter of chance, a scholarship opportunity was announced by the Government of Japan in the field of engineering for only two students from East African Countries. Omod won this scholarship after a very tough competition. Then, he completed his study in Japan with a great distinction. He was a gold medalist of the year in engineering. Finally, Omod studied his MSC and PhD degrees in Germany. Now he is among the well-known engineers in Ethiopia and is making significant contributions in different mega projects being run by the government. Do the questions based on the case study presented above as homework. Present your answer for one of the questions to the class. You will be given a maximum of two minutes. 1. What do you learn from the story of Omod ? 2. How do you compare yourself with Omod ? 3. Briefly explain Omod ’s commitment to excellence. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 19 Remember ü Integrity refers to devotion to moral and ethical principles regarding our decisions and actions in our daily life. ü People with integrity are generally known to be trustworthy, honest, and kind. ü Promise keeping is a verbal commitment to do something to someone else. ü Concern for others refers to the habits of having a place for, listening to or consider the needs and feelings of others. ü Respect for others is about having positive feelings toward a person or treating a person with dignity. ü Abiding by the law refers to the willingness, commitment and responsibility to obey or follow the rules and regulations. ü Commitment to excellence refers to taking full responsibility for our behaviors, decisions and actions or endeavors in every single situation in order to be successful. 20 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook LESSON 1.3. The importance of ethical values of citizens ⓷ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Explain the importance of ethical values of citizens ☑ Identify the consequences of lack of possessing ethical values ☑ Demonstrate your ethical values Brainstorming 偮 What are the importance of ethical values of citizens? As citizens, we need to possess ethical values to save ourselves and generations from several problems. In today’s life, it is clear that there is a great failure and erosions of moral integrity and values of citizens in our country. Ethics is the single factor that determines our real value in this world. Ethics is character builder. For citizens, even for those of us with no aspirations in a career in law enforcement, morality and integrity are important characteristics to demonstrate. Being ethical in life is an important quality that human beings should possess. Ethics makes a society peaceful, harmonious and to live better by guiding the behavior of the people. Ethics and ethical behavior play a very critical role for the existence of a democratic, stable and prosperous society. Ethical values strengthen mutual Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 21 trust and reduce social conflicts. No society can survive without an ethical code of conduct. It is even more important where laws do not reach, for example, taking care of older parents. Ethics also helps persons to look at their own life critically and to evaluate the morality of their actions/choices/decisions. It helps people to keep their words, fight injustices and corruption, prevent crimes and lawlessness and other unethical behaviors. In general, if a country possesses highly ethical citizens, there is sustainable peace, strong social harmony, rapid socio-economic transformations, absence of corruption, prevalence of rule of law, justice, equality, strong national unity, respect for others, etc. So, as citizens it is a must to develop and practice those important traits of ethical person in order to curb the current serious crises we are facing as a country. Activity 1.8 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. What are the traits of ethics you display in your family, community and school? 2. Why is possessing ethical values important for citizens? 3. What kinds of problems or crises can occur in your family, community and school due to people who do not possess ethical values? 22 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Remember ü Ethics is the single factor that determines our real value in this world. ü Ethics is a character builder ü Ethics makes a society peaceful, harmonious and to live better by guiding the behavior of the people. ü Ethical values strengthen mutual trust and reduce social conflicts. ü No society can survive without an ethical code of conduct. ü Ethics helps people to fight injustices and corruption, prevent crimes and lawlessness and other unethical behaviors. LESSON ⓸ 1.4. Aspects of applied ethics By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Define professional ethics ☑ Describe environmental ethics ☑ Identify traits of professional ethics ☑ Display environment friendly behaviors Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 23 Brainstorming 偮 What is applied ethics? 偮 What does professional ethics and environmental ethics mean to you? 1.4.1. The meaning of applied ethics Applied ethics is the art or science of reflecting on moral dilemmas and moral problems in different social contexts. Applied ethics is a growing, interdisciplinary field dealing with ethical problems in different areas of society. It includes for instance social and political ethics, computer ethics, medical ethics, bioethics, environmental ethics, business ethics, and it also relates to different forms of professional ethics. From the perspective of ethics, applied ethics is a specialization in one area of ethics. From the perspective of social practice applying ethics is to focus on ethical aspects and implications of that particular practice. 1.4.2. Professional ethics Profession is defined as any occupation/job/vocation that requires advanced expertise (skills and knowledge), self-regulation, and concerned service to the public good. It brings a high status, socially and economically. Professionals are governed by codes of ethics and profess a commitment to competence, integrity, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their domain. These commitments form the basis of a social contract between a profession and society. Thus, professions and their members are accountable to those served and to society. 24 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Figure 1.3: professionals and non-professionals Professional ethics is concerned with one’s behaviour, responsibility and commitment needed during the provision of professional services. It refers to the ethical norms, values and principles that guide a profession. Figure 1.4: A teacher on the left has smooth relationships and well treating her students, but a teacher on the right side is punishing student. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 25 Professional ethics is about the moral obligations, rules and principles that professionals should employ to achieve the main objective of their profession. For example, one of the professional ethics of teaching profession implies teacher’s smooth relationships with their students, colleagues, employers and students’ parents who are relevant stake holders in the professional life of teachers. These principles guide teachers in their daily activities while working with their stake holders. Professional ethics includes the important attributes such as honesty, integrity, transparency, confidentiality, impartiality, punctuality, respectfulness and obedience to the law. Activity 1.9 ☑ Being in group and ask three teachers from your school to explain for you their professional ethics as per the principles of professional ethics discussed above. Then, present what you get to the class. Environmental ethics Environment is the surrounding natural world which contains both living and nonliving things such as land, animals, plants, water, air, etc. Environment is the foundation and the source of the survival of all living things. It can be understood as the overall economic, social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community. Environmental ethics refers to the moral obligations expected from human beings to protect and maintain the well-being of their environment. Environmental ethics is the discipline that studies about the established values, principles and set of beliefs between human beings and the surrounding environment. There is a direct relationship between the life of human beings and the environment. This means that 26 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook when the environment is safe and healthy, we are leading good and healthy life. When the environment is damaged, our life is also directly affected. Currently our world is found under a serious threat of climate change and environmental degradation. This problem is changing from worse to the worst level from time to time. So, giving a great focus to the well-being of the environment is not a matter of choice, rather it is a matter of survival. This is because, our life fully depends on the environment and the earth’s resources that are finite. Thus, all of us have the duty to play our part in maintaining and protecting the well-being of our environment for the sake our survival. Figure 1.5: Damaged environment and well protected environment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 27 Activity 1.10 Do the following questions in groups and reflect your discussion results to the class. 1. What environmental obligations do we need to keep for future generations? 2. School Cleaning: Set a schedule at your free time and observe a dirty place in your school. Take a picture of this dirty place via your group or class representatives before cleaning it. Then, clean this dirty place and take its picture again. Compare and contrast the place before cleaning it and after cleaning. Reflect your opinion to each other about what you do from the perspective of environmental ethics. Remember ü Profession is any occupation/job/vocation that requires advanced expertise. ü Professional ethics is concerned with one’s behavior, responsibility and commitment needed during the provision of professional services. ü Environmental ethics is the moral obligations expected from human beings to protect and maintain the well- being of their environment. 28 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Unit Summary In this unit, you have learned that ethics is a discipline that deals with what humans ought to do and what they ought not to do in their daily life. It is concerned with the standards, values and principles that enable to differentiate right from wrong, good from bad, and moral from immoral acts. Ethical values are those principles, traits, rules and beliefs that one need to possess and practice as citizens. These are, integrity, loyalty, promise keeping, respecting others, helping others, commitment to excellence and abiding by the law. You have also learned that possessing ethical values and practicing them is the responsibility of every one as a citizen. This can have significant contributions to have peaceful and corruption free, harmonious, united society, and citizens being responsible in every aspect of human life. You have also learned that professional ethics refers to the moral obligations of professionals that need to be discharged along with their professional services. A particular profession cannot fulfill the criteria of a profession in the absence of professional codes of conduct. On the other hand, environmental ethics implies the obligations of citizens, government and organizations to protect and maintain the well-being of their environment from damage, because, survival of human being depends on the safe and healthy environment. Glossary Abiding by the law: the willingness, commitment and responsibility to obey or follow the rules and regulations. Commitment to excellence: taking full responsibility for our behaviors, decisions and actions or endeavors in every single situation in order to do great things or being excellent and resilient person in our life. Concern for others: the habits of having a place for, listening to or consider the needs and feelings of others. Environmental Ethics: the moral obligations expected from human beings to protect and maintain the well-being of their environment Ethics: moral principles that control or influence a person’s behavior. The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 29 Integrity: uncompromising devotion to moral and ethical principles regarding our decisions and actions in our daily life. The quality of being honest or having strong moral principles. Keeping promise: fulfilling or be faithful to a promise one has made or keeping a verbal commitment to do something to someone else. Loyalty: the attribute of being truthful/honest to someone else. Morality: the standards and principles used to determine the behaviors, decisions or actions of individuals as right or wrong, good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable. Professional Ethics: the moral obligations, rules and principles that professionals should employ to achieve the main objective of their profession Respecting others: having positive feelings toward a person or treating a person with dignity Values: specific principles, beliefs, and standards, ideals that one holds as important and right. Unit Review Exercises Part I- True/False questions 1. Ethics is a discipline that is concerned with what is good for individuals and society. 2. People with integrity are generally known to be trustworthy, honest, and kind. 3. One can keep promise without sacrificing any of his/her interest. 4. A society can survive without an ethical code of conduct of what is acceptable and what is not. 5. Professional ethics is concerned with one’s behavior and conduct when carrying out his/her professional work. 6. Environmental ethics refers to the reckless acts of individuals towards their environment. 30 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Part II- Multiple choice questions 1. All of the followings are traits of a person with true integrity, except one. A. Respecting humanity C. Being responsible B. Walking her/his talk D. Being selfish 2. Our willingness and commitments to obey or follow the rules and regulations is called, A. Helping others C. Abiding by the law B. Keeping promises D. Respecting others 3. One of the following is not true about commitment to excellence. A. Facing challenges continuously B. Being frustrated by challenges C. Building inner strength D. Taking full responsibility 4. Which one of the following is the importance of ethical values? A. Making a society peaceful and harmonious B. Strengthening mutual trust C. Enhancing self-discipline D. Ensuring equality and justice E. All of the above. Part III- Short answer questions 1. How do you enhance your integrity? 2. What are the ways of being respectful to others? 3. List the traits of professional ethics. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 31 UNIT 2THE CULTURE OF USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Introduction * Learning outcomes: In Unit 1, you learnt about the ethical At the end of this unit, you will be values expected of ideal citizens and able to: the importance of ethical values Recognize the need of digital technology in your daily life activities and principles in society. In unit Know the relation between culture and 2, you are going to learn about the digital technology culture of using digital technology Demonstrate effective communications and their challenges. This unit deals through digital medias with the importance of using digital Demonstrate ethical code of conduct media and the codes of conduct that while using digital technology need to be followed while using Understand the challenges of using these digital technologies. Thus, digital technology. this unit is relevant and interesting * Lessons to understand the need for digital 1. The concept of digital technology technology for your day to day activities. 2. Culture and digital technology 3. The purpose of digital technology Key Words and Concept: Digital culture, Digital media, 4. Codes of conducts for using digital technology Digital technology, Digital world, Social media 5. Effective communication through digital media 6. Challenges of using digital media 32 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 2.1. LESSON The concept of digital technology ⓵ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Explain the concept of digital technology ☑ Describe the need of digital technology in your daily life activities Brainstorming 偮 What is digital technology? 偮 Do you use digital technology at your home and at school? Digital technology refers to the use of computers, tablets, mobile phones and digital and social media that are accessed on those devices through internet. The concept of digital technology may also involve new communication technologies that could have significant effects on the political, economic, social and cultural life of the societies. Digital technology plays significant roles in transferring information and data quickly from one section of the world to another and among individuals as well. This can be taken place through the use of mobile application, social media platforms and digital marketing websites. Today we live in the age of digital technology in which our life heavily relies Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 33 on different types of technologies. Technology touches every aspect our life, making it easier, better and life changing. For instance, due to digital technology application through available social network and social media platform there is high interconnection between individuals and global societies. Many peoples use electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones and internet in their daily life. Digital technology was started in the mid-20th century and now it has become the most significant modern technology not only in developed countries but also in developing countries including Ethiopia. The use and application of digital technology is crucially important in our day to day life, especially for communication speed, learning opportunities, social relation and money exchange in the finance sector. Accordingly, the most common digital technologies being used in present day includes; Computer, Smartwatch, Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Digital Camera, Automated vehicles, Drone, Bitcoin, GPS and etc.. Figure 2.1: Some of Modern Digital Technologies In the contemporary Ethiopia easy and fast communications among individuals, money transfer, banking and access to education are impossible without digital technology. As digital citizens, our individual life is highly dependent on modern digital media technologies in our daily life. This may involve the use of mobile 34 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook phone for communication with our family members, online service through internet, money transfer through mobile banking at any time. These technologies are making our life easier and better by saving our time and physical contact to get different kinds of services. Activity 2.1 Currently, there are students and teachers who are using different electronic devices and social media networks for various purposes in your school even if not all. Accordingly, be in group and discuss the following questions and present what you find to the class: 1. Do you have a mobile phone, laptop computer or tablets? 2. For what purposes you have been using it? (for communication, education, mobile banking, etc) 3. How you are using social medias? Remember ü Digital technology is type of technology used to transfer information to move data quickly. They include all electronic tools, automatic systems, technological devices and resources that generate and process or store information. ü Digital technologies are so ever-present around the world that encompasses all aspects of everyday life, and is not limited to the internet or modern communication technologies. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 35 2.2. LESSON Culture and digital technology ⓶ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Describe the relationship between culture and digital technology ☑ Examine the effects of digital technology on society’s cultures Brainstorming 偮 Do you think digital technology have positive role in promoting one’s own cultures? If yes, how? Culture and technology is the major factors that can shape our world outlooks. They are two equal forces that greatly influence our attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and our understanding of good and bad in different ways. Society’s cultures are the bases of human civilization and technological advancement. This implies that cultural values of the society and modern technologies are very interdependent. When new technologies are introduced into a society, the culture reacts in either positive or negative way. Cultural development and digital technologies are directly interlinked in terms of making accessible one’s cultures to others. The essential way to live in societies 36 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook and to maintain one’s culture is to communicate through which cultural elements are shared. Communication technologies used to share ideas and feelings through which culture is learned, transmitted and preserved. This enables us to promote our own cultural values and also to know the cultures of other societies. Therefore, it is difficult to promote and preserve one’s own culture effectively without communication media in this digital world. Digital technologies are very crucial in highlighting the bright aspects of our country to the rest of the world. Ethiopia is a country of multicultural societies where different nations and nationalities have been living together for a long period of time. Thus, all nations and nationalities need to promote and preserve their cultures through different means. Accordingly, in this digital age it is very important to use different digital communication technologies such as you tube, face book, twitter, telegram, imo, etc to promote one’s own cultures in responsible and ethical way. For instance, we can promote the untold facts of our culture such as language, way of life, cultural dressing, cultural food, arts, historical tourism sites, holiday celebrities, etc to other societies and across the world through social media platforms. However, digital technologies have not only positive impacts on one’s own culture. It has serious negative impacts against one’s own culture if they are not used appropriately and in responsible manner. Accordingly, using such technologies in a way deviated from our norms or moral values and principles can lead to the cultural diffusion and destruction of indigenous values and norms of a particular society. For example, as you can understand from figure 2.2. below, inappropriate use of digital technology can affect family relationships. Both husband and wife are too busy in using their social media on their food and by ignoring their child. Thus, our digital culture must be in line with the existing moral, social, and cultural values of the society in contemporary digital age. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 37 Figure 2.2: Negative relationship between culture digital media Activity 2.2 ☑ As mentioned above using digital media has both positive and negative impacts on the cultural values of a particular society. Thus, discuss being in group both the positive and negative effects of digital media on the cultures of your community Remember ü Cultural values of the society and modern technologies are very interdependent to each other’s. Digital technologies may have its own advantages and disadvantages on our culture. ü Therefore, use and application of digital technology and media in day-to-day life must be line with the existing moral, social and cultural values of the society in digital age. 38 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook LESSON 2.3. The Purpose of digital technology ⓷ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Explain the major purpose of using digital technology ☑ Exhibit the major benefits of digital technology in 21st century Brainstorming 偮 What are the main purposes of social media? Now-a-days, digital technologies are part of our daily life activities. Many of us are using digital technology like laptops, tablets, mobile phones and internet to easily, quickly and cost effectively get different services. Using the digital technology for the right purpose helps us to undertake our work more efficiently and effectively. The major purposes of digital technology in 21st century are discussed below: Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 39 1) Social connection Information is the indispensable factors in all aspects of our life. Connecting families, relatives and members of the societies at all levels is very crucial for healthy social life. Digital technology has simplified the process of socialization by enabling people to communicate with families, friends and team-workers when working remotely. This has made it possible to communicate via words, video (video calls, virtual conferences) and exchange media. Without the use of digital devices and information communication technology, leading life is becoming very difficult these days. Figure 2.3: Video chatting. 2) Communication speed Digital technology helps a large amount of information to be compressed on small storage devices that can be transported. The speed of internet is constantly improving, thereby, enabling us to transfer tons of information instantly and access data virtually anywhere in the world. It also improves the speed of transmission and ultimately transformed the way that people communicate, work and learn. Thus, communication through digital technology enables the global communities conduct 40 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook speedy communication and information exchange in fraction of micro seconds and this to makes life on this earth better. For instance, without the use of Email communication between senders and receivers it is very difficult for individuals and organizations. 3) Online learning opportunities In modern society, people use digital media daily and seamlessly, and educators need to consider the integration of digital media today and for the future. By having access to the internet, nowadays we can all access different information within seconds just by searching online. Digital technology has made it possible for everyone to have access to things like online courses, training, books, journals, publications and other important information. The facilities of online education and the availability of interactive media have made the process of learning so interesting. Therefore, using digital technology and digital media helps to get access to education through online learning without going to learning center using these digital technologies. 4) Digital marketing Digital marketing is also another essential purpose of using digital media in business activities. Digital marketing is the promotion of your business using online resources and tools. Tools used in digital marketing include websites, micro-sites, mobile application and social media platforms. Using online selling, businesses allow customers to buy whenever they want, even when your shop doors are closed. Selling online typically helps reduce processing times internally, enabling you to focus staff elsewhere in the business. This is used to give customers access to your business through whatever means they prefer – a mobile device, desktop computer, phone call or social media to find the information, service or product they are looking for. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 41 Figure 2.4: Digital device and social media used for social connection, information commu- nication, online learning and digital marketing. Activity 2.3 Some people believe that it is difficult in to lead modern life without use of social media network like Facebook, Telegram, Instagram, and etc. But, at the same time others belief that use of social media technology have negative effect in many aspects of human life. Which argument you agree with or which argument you disagree? What is your reason for why you ‘agree for’ and what is your reason for ‘agree against’? ☑ Debate on the above-mentioned ideas or arguments and share your understanding to each other’s on the advantages and disadvantages of social media on individual and social life. 42 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Remember ü In today’s world, technology serves varieties of purposes and it means different things to different people and the importance of digital technology has become integral in daily lives. ü As a result of this, without the use and application of digital technology, life on this digital world is difficult. Therefore, to make our day-to-day life easier, we must use digital ⓸ technology effectively and efficiently. LESSON 2.4. Codes of conduct for using digital technology By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Identify ethical codes of conduct while using digital technology ☑ Explain the importance of ethical codes of conduct of using digital media. Brainstorming 偮 What ethical problems have you observed when people use digital technology? Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 43 Using the right digital technology for the right purpose efficiently and effectively is the burning issues in the current digital world. Using digital media in our day- to-day life must be governed by set of ethical codes of conduct. This involves the objective of using digital media and proper identification of their advantages and disadvantages while using it. Therefore, before using available social media and other digital technologies, we have to identify their benefits and potential challenges to our daily life. The information or contents of social media is broad and uncensored, there must be the ethics and code of conduct to be followed for effective and efficient utilization of social media. Each social media platform, serves a purpose that is unique and our social media use strategy, content and ethics must be adapted accordingly. They are a general rules and policies that are consistent with the high standard ethics we uphold and emphasize the value we place on trust and treating all members of our community with respect. Accordingly, the most common codes of conduct to be considered while using digital media for communication, education, entertainment and etc, are: Use digital media for the good things such as solving community problems through awareness creation on important issues. Use the information you got from using digital media as an input to improve your knowledge, experiences and skills needed to improve your life. Ignore contents provoking political, religious, and sexual violence Treat others as you want to be treated Respect privacy and maintain confidentiality Avoid posting, sharing and following fake news Fighting fake news using digital media by exposing the facts Avoid remarks that may constitute defamation. Avoid posts degrading individual dignity. Acknowledge and correct mistakes promptly. 44 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Avoid spending much more time on using digital media unnecessarily. Use digital media in a away it cannot affect relationships among families and friends. Don’t use digital media in a way it affect our study and working times. Free yourself from being addictive of using digital media. Activity 2.4 ☑ Being in group and discuss on the codes of conduct you implement and not implement while using digital media. Then, present the results of your group discussion to the class. Remember ü Using the right digital technology for the right purpose effectively is the challenging issues in the current digital world. ü Using digital media in our day-to-day life must be governed by set of ethical codes of conduct and the rules for the proper use of these technologies have direct effect on our behavior. ü Therefore, the current digital technologies use and application needs proper identify of their benefits and potential challenges for effective utilization of digital media. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 45 2.5. LESSON ⓹ Effective communication through digital media By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Evaluate the role of digital media for effective communication Brainstorming 偮 What makes communication effective? Communication is one of the most important ways to transfer and exchange messages and information in our relation with others. It is the art and technique of informing, and influencing, individuals, and the large audience about important issues in scientific and ethical methods. Effectiveness of communication determines the success and failure for individual and collective goal achievement. Digital media becomes the key strategy for effective communication. Today, organizations and individuals has some type of online or digital presence through, social media accounts, online networks and databases and emails to communicate with the public. There are various digital technologies which make use of the fastest growing information communication technology that we use to make communication effective This has improved businesses and personal communication. Successful modern 46 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook organizations also use digital media to their advantage and to achieve effective communication The contribution of digital media to effective communication has improved because: Cellular technology and satellite communication have increased communication speeds and made ‘connection’ easier. Internet has enabled easy exchange of information over long distances and accessing a web page server in some far-off country. Computers have enabled better storage and presentation of information, and have made the process of teaching easier and more effective. Mobile phones have enabled e-commerce by giving customers the option to transact via their Mobile phones or Tablets and to perform specific tasks. Case Study Megarsa Tullu is a farmer living in small village called Dimtu in rural area. Using his mobile cell phone, he easily gets information about the market prices of some agricultural products. He used to get updated information about the price of locally produced agricultural commodities and inform it for other farmers. In addition, he is a well-informed person about what is going on the country as a whole by effectively using important application on his mobile cell phone. Do the questions based on the case study presented above. Present your answers to the class. 1. What do you understand from the above case? 2. How we can use digital media for getting information about the market prices of the product? Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 47 Remember ü In today’s digital world use and application of digital technology and social media networks has become integral in our daily lives, for better. However, digital media may not only used for better, but also for worse. ü For instance, social media like Facebook have many drawbacks such as decreasing academic performance, negatively affecting performance in the workplace, and causing problems in personal relationships. LESSON ⓺ 2.6. Challenges of using digital media By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Identify the major challenges facing while using of digital media technologies Brainstorming 偮 What are the disadvantages of using digital technology and social media in present world? 48 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Currently, using digital technologies and social media platform is becoming challenging. Many of these challenges are related to social media because social media is an internet-based platform. Social media like Facebook have many drawbacks such as decreasing academic performance, negatively affecting performance in the workplace, and causing problems in personal relationships. However, this digital technology and social media platforms may not only used for better or good by individuals and groups in different parts of the world. Thus, the main challenges that are involved in using this internet-based platform include: 1. Disregard for Ethical Values: Ethics in digital media involves the moral problem that is associated with the adoption of new communication technologies in daily activities. The major concern in the ethics of digital media is the effect of information that is transmitted through these channels. The big challenge is that, the accuracy of the information is not controlled, and at times it can cause various impacts to the society. Therefore, to use social media effectively in our day-to-day life we have to use digital technology ethically in appropriate manner. 2. Fabrication of Fake News: In times of digital information exchange, fake news has become more of an online phenomenon that is difficult to control and sharing of fabricated news to shape public opinion becomes common phenomenon. Fake news can reach high levels of visibility in a short amount of time because it’s easy to share via social media. They involves reports, images, and videos that are shared to purposefully spread misinformation i.e. information that is factually incorrect. Fake news is mostly used to manipulate public opinion for political or commercial gain to attract people to click through to linked websites and generate advertising income. Therefore, fake news and misinformation is common problem through all social media platforms. 3. Personal Privacy and Security Issues: The most challenging aspects of using social media is privacy and security issues about which, users very much worried. It is very difficult to maintain privacy in social media since they are public platforms anyone can easily access the personal information of others. As a result of this, protecting individual privacy and keeping information confidentially is at risk in the age of digital technologies. For example, when individual posted and uploaded about his/her private life on Facebook and YouTube someone could share it for public so that anyone can see it. In present Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 49 day, the security issues becomes challenges to the state national security. Activity 2.5 Fill the below table on the following activity ☑ List advantages and disadvantages of using social media for students’ learning No. Advantages No. Disadvantages Social media help to prepare The presence of social media 1 1 students for their learning can be distracting to students. 2 2 3 3 4 4 Remember ü In present day digital technologies are becomes indispensable tools to give users quick and fastest communication. ü However, using these digital devices and social media platform are hindered by different challenges. ü Digital and social media technologies are not only used for better or good by individuals and groups, but also for worst things. ü Inappropriate use of social media may lead to ethical violations which disregard for ethical values is one of the challenges to using digital media. 50 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Unit Summary The use and application of digital technology is critically important in our day to day life especially in terms of communication speed, learning opportunities, social relationships and money exchange in the finance sectors. Technology and culture are two equal forces that greatly influence one another. When a new technology is introduced into a society, the culture reacts in both positive and negative ways. Digital technologies may have their own advantages and disadvantages on cultures. Our digital culture must align with the existing moral, social, and cultural values of a society. Nowadays, digital technologies and digital applications are greatly influencing and shaping the contemporary society, threatening culture and cultural values. Due to the application of digital societies’ cultures, norms and values are highly affected. Thus, using the right digital technology for the right purpose efficiently and effectively is the burning issues in the current digital world. Using digital media ethically and examining our digital culture in the day to day life and manage this challenge are the agenda of discussion at national and international levels. Using digital media in our day-to-day life must be governed by a set of ethical codes of conduct since our rules of conduct for proper way of using these technologies have direct effect on our behavior. Therefore, for the effective utilization digital media we have to identify their benefits and potential challenges before using the currently available social media and other digital technologies. Glossary Digital culture: The whole of the lifestyle and habits created by the innovations brought by the age in which human beings live, technology taking more place in daily life. It is a comprehensive concept that describes the idea that technology and the Internet significantly shape the way we interact, behave, think, and communicate as human beings in a societal setting. Digital media: They are platform sites or spaces of multidirectional, instantaneous communication that operate with the use of any of various encoded machine-readable data formats. It is any form of media that uses electronic devices for distribution via electronic devices. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 51 Digital technology: A type of technology that is used to transfer information to move data quickly using digitalized internet based social network and media. Digital technology enables immense amounts of information to be compressed on small storage devices that can be easily preserved and transported. Without the use and application of digital technology, life on this digital world is difficult. Digital world: The existing, emerging and probable human world dominance of the use of technology in the modern-day being driven and transformed by technology, and by digitized ICTs. This involves application of digital technology and media through social networks and social media platform. Due to this speedy interaction has become possible than ever through social media platforms. Social media: A computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through building virtual networks and communities. Social networks are types of social media that help for exchanging thoughts, ideas, and contents with other users- often with users who share tastes and interests Unit Review Exercises Part I- True/False questions 1. A digital culture is described by how technology and the internet are shaping the way we interact as humans. 2. Without the use of digital devices and information communication technologies, life is becoming difficult to lead. 3. The facilities of online education and the availability of interactive media have made the process of learning so difficult. 4. Social media has so many positive sides that change people’s lives positively and it has no drawbacks. 5. The use and importance of technology has become integral in our daily lives, for better or may be for worse. 52 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Part II- Multiple choice questions 1. All of the following includes digital technology, except one. A. Facebook C Instagram B. YouTube D. Postal service 2. Using online selling business allows customers to buy whenever they want, even when shop doors are closed. This technology is called, A. Banking C. Online communication B. Digital marketing D. Cloud computing 3. ______________ is a platform sites or spaces of multi-directional, instantaneous communication. A. Communication C. Digital media B. Social media D. Internet website 4. Which of the following is the challenges of using social media technologies? A. Fake news C. Privacy and Security B. Defamation D. All of the above. 5. Which one of the following code of conduct one has to follow while using digital technology in day to day lives? A. Respect the diversity of users B. Treat others as you want to be treated C. Avoid remarks that may constitute defamation D. Acknowledge and correct mistakes promptly E. All of the above Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 53 UNIT 3 CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONALISM Introduction * Learning outcomes: This unit acquaints you with the notion At the end of this unit, you of constitution, constitutionalism and will be able to: constitutional experiences in Ethiopian Understand the concept of the context. constitution Appreciate the principles of constitutions Key Words and Concept: Know the constitutional Account a b i l i t y, C o n s t i t u t i o n , experience of Ethiopia Constitutionalism, Federal constitution, Flexible constitution, Recognize constitutionalism in Limited, government, Popular their communities. sovereignty, Respect for human rights, Rigid constitution, Rule * Lessons of law, Separation of power, 1. Understanding Constitution Transparency, Unitary constitution, Unwritten constitution, Written 2. Understanding constitutionalism constitution 3. Constitutional experiences of Ethiopia 54 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook LESSON ⓵ 3.1. Understanding constitution By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Define constitution ☑ List types of constitution ☑ Identify the advantages and disadvantages of written and unwritten constitutions ☑ Describe constitutional principles Brainstorming 偮 In unit four of grade eight citizenship education you learned about the concept of constitution. 偮 What do you remember about that? Being in pair and share ideas on the concept of constitution? Constitution is a fundamental document that contains the basic laws of a country. It is the most fundamental or supreme law of a state that underlines the existence of the state. Constitution is the aggregate of laws, customs, conventions, principles, rules and regulations by which a particular government of a country implements its administrative activities. It is a fundamental document that defines the nature of government and its functions, the rights and duties of citizens. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 55 Classifications of constitution Brainstorming 偮 There are different types or classifications of constitution. Can you mention some of them? A. Written and Unwritten Constitution 1. Written constitution: Written constitutions are constitutions that exist in a single document or in a codified form. A written constitution refers to a collection of documents in which the fundamental rules regarding the nature of the government and the rights and duties of citizens are clearly laid down. It is precise, definite and systematic. The majority of states have written constitutions, for example, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, India, United States of America, France, Brazil, etc.. Advantages of written constitution Written constitution has different advantages. It is easily accessible to citizens. Citizens can get written constitutions in different ways, for instance, from the library, from other individuals, from online, or buy from bookshops. Written constitution also enables citizens to easily learn about their rights and duties. One of the main purposes of the constitution is to define the rights and duties of citizens. So, in the case of written constitution citizens can have the chance to refer the rights guaranteed to them by the constitution. Disadvantages of written constitution Written constitutions have limitations mainly in terms of its rigidity. Compared to the unwritten constitution, it is not as such easy to improves in the changing circumstances. 2. Unwritten constitution: Unwritten constitution is a constitution that is not found in a single written document. 56 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Instead, it exists in terms of customs and conventions. It is unsystematic, indefinite, and imprecise. Few countries have unwritten constitution, for instance, United Kingdom and Israel. Advantages of unwritten constitution Unwritten constitution has also its own advantages. For instance, it is simple or easy to make amendments or changing some constitutional provisions. Since it is undocumented or uncodified constitution, it is suitable for improving or amendment. Disadvantages of unwritten constitution Unwritten constitution is not easily accessible to citizens. Citizens can also have not the chance to easily learn about their rights and duties from constitutional document unlike the case with the written constitution. Activity 3.1 ☑ One of the advantages of written constitution is that it enables citizens to easily learn about their rights and duties. Thus, find the 1995 FDRE constitution and read chapter three of the constitution which talks about human rights. Then, tell the class some of the rights of citizens stated in the constitution. B. Rigid and Flexible Constitutions Based on the amendment procedure or changing situation, constitution can be classified as rigid or flexible. Amendment procedures refers to the modifications of the constitution or it is about adding some important issues to the constitution or removing unimportant ones. Rigid constitution cannot be amended, in a manner in which ordinary laws are passed amended or repealed. Thus, rigid constitution requires special or difficult procedures for the amendment process, for example, the constitutions of Ethiopia and USA. On the other hand, flexible constitution is a constitution which is simple for amendment. A flexible constitution is one which Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 57 can easily be amended by perhaps an ordinary legislative process or by the ordinary resolution. It doesn’t require special procedure for amendment, for example, the Constitutions of Britain and Israel. C. Federal and Unitary Constitutions A federal constitution is one which distributes power between the federal and regional governments, for example, the 1995 FDRE constitution. It distributes powers to the federal and the regional governments. On the other hand, a constitution that centralizes all state power at the central government is called unitary constitution. for example, the Constitution of Britain. 3.1.1. Fundamental Principles of Constitution Constitution consists of certain fundamental principles in the form of constitutional principles. Constitution can be realized as per the important principles stated in it. III. Popular Sovereignty: refers to the ultimate or supreme power of the people. The people are the ultimate source of power. The government must be based on the consent of the people. IV. Limited government: the power of government must be limited by the constitution. This means that it should act according to the power and functions given to it by the constitution. V. Separation of powers: constitution assigns specific responsibilities and powers to each branch of the government such as legislative, executive and judiciary organs for the purpose of check and balance system. VI. Rule of law: refers to every one acts according to the rule of law. The law applies to everyone, even to those who are on power. VII. Respect for human rights: the human rights of individuals or groups must be respected by both government and ordinary citizens. VIII. Transparency and accountability: Transparency refers to the condition of making the conducts and actions of government officials shall be open or transparent to the public, whereas accountability refers to the condition in which government officials are held responsible for any failure in their official duties. 58 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Figure 3.1: Fundamental Constitutional Principles Activity 3.2 ☑ Discuss in groups the importance of incorporating these basic principles in the constitution. Remember ü Constitution is the highest and fundamental law of a state. ü Constitution is very important to ensure rule of law and to put the government within its limit. ü The constitution of a country can be in written or unwritten forms. ü Classifications of constitution consists of written and unwritten constitution, rigid and flexible constitution, federal and unitary constitution. ü Constitution can be realized as per the fundamental principles stated in it. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 59 LESSON 3.2. Understanding constitutionalism ⓶ By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: ☑ Explain constitutionalism ☑ Describe the importance of constitutionalism ☑ Identify the features of limited government by law Brainstorming 偮 What is constitutionalism? Being in pair and share ideas on the concept of constitutionalism? Figure 3.2: Limitation of power by law 60 Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook Constitutionalism refers to a government system that is based on and acts according to the supreme law. Constitutionalism implies a limited system of government by law in which there is actual or real realizations of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, a real practice of good governance, rule of law and separations of powers. According to the notion of constitutionalism, the behavior and actions of the government as well as its agents should be founded on the fundamental principles of the constitution. Activity 3.3 Do the following questions as a homework 1. Do you think that the existence of constitution alone implies the existence of constitutionalism? 2. Discuss the characteristics of a limited form of government vis-à- vis unlimited form of government Importance of Constitutionalism A real practice of constitutionalism in a given country has a very remarkable contribution and is usually at the forefront in insuring peace and stability and human well-being. Some of the major contributions of constitutionalism are discussed as follows: Realizations of human rights of citizens: Human rights are inviolable and inalienable rights. Constitutionalism prevents tyranny and guarantees the liberty and rights of individuals or groups of individuals. Respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all is the responsibility of every citizen and the government in particular. This can become real only when there is a government which acts according to the supreme law. Citizenship Education Grade 9 Student Textbook 61 Controlling the abuse and misuse of powers of government: constitutionalism checks whether the acts of a government are legitimate, and whether officials conduct their public duties in accordance with laws. It provides institutional safeguards against abuse and misuse of powers by authorities. Prevalence of rule of law: Constitutionalism is a foundation for rule of law. Constituti

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