You can use it for that one :
Standard F, Power of geography:

A student should be able to use geography to understand the world by interpreting the past, knowing the present, and preparing for the future.

I don't think you'll hear anything your switzerland friend wrote you now but still it's pretty good for that one.

Standard D, Application of history:
A student should be able to integrate historical knowledge with historical skill to effectively participate as a citizen and as a lifelong learner.

This fits standard A Citizenship :
Understand how nations organize their governments; and Find appropriate ways to represent classroom concerns and issues to the school as a whole.
Write to a penpal in another country and compare rules, rights, and responsibilities in your school with those in your penpal's school.
(4) be able to compare and contrast how different societies have governed themselves over time and in different places.

The minaret thing fits great for that standard. Articulate your swiss pal concerns, christians in muslims countries that are not very good at minorities rights, religious or else, (kurds) watching a muslim minority gaining ground in his country with all the consequences.

Ending the course with;
understand the necessity and purpose of government.
Plan a government for a colony on Mars.
Given a situation (e.g., earthquake or other natural disaster), students role play ways to ensure group survival.