Unit 7: Geographical Case Studies

Overview
In this unit, students will examine four geographical case studies: China, Mexico, South Africa, and the
Middle East. Students will analyze the historical antecedents to globalization in these areas as well as
the effects of globalization on the local environments, cultures, economies, and political systems.
Students should develop an understanding of how globalization impacted these areas as well as how
these areas impacted the international community. Students will use case study information to
determine how the United States should design and implement policies concerning these regions in
the future. For more complete overviews, see page 1 of the student resource book and page 2 of the
teacher resource book for each region.
Note to Teachers
The Choices Program Supplemental Materials for this unit are located at:

China on the World Stage: http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_china.php

Caught Between Two Worlds: http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_mexico.php
Freedom in Our Lifetime: http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_southafrica.php
The Middle East in Transition: http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_mideast.php

In this unit, students should begin sharing what theyre learning in their Independent Study research
as it relates to globalization, world cultures and geographies, trade, environmental concerns, and
political/economic issues. Teachers should hold students accountable for outside research, reading,
writing, and sharing as part of the Independent Study and seminar aspects of the course. Students
may choose to share such things as primary and secondary historical context documents, legal
documents, maps, charts, graphs, interviews, information from inter- and supra-national organizations,
literature, poetry, auto-/biographies, art, philosophical and/or religious texts, music, fliers,
propaganda, commercials, advertisements, caricatures, depictions, sculptures, scripts, leaflets and
popular culture. When students share their factual knowledge, they should also offer analysis and
insights into the positive and negative effects of globalization on the world (culture, politics, economy,
environment, geography).
Generalizations
1. There are a variety of data collection methods and visual representations that serve different
purposes and provide different types of information.
2. Historical events (including war and conflict), geographic factors, physical and ideological
movements, technological and informational revolutions, political systems, and economic
situations contribute to the development of globalization.
3. Globalization can affect the climate, natural resources, and species of various places, and the
sustainability and depletion of natural resources as well as the preservation and conservation
efforts concerning those resources impact economic growth and development.
4. Globalization can affect immigration, migration, and demographic transition, thereby potentially
creating religious, ethnic, cultural, and or social/human rights conflicts and affecting the adaptive
strategies of some cultural groups.
5. Transnational corporations, supranational organizations, and international nongovernmental
organizations can impact globalization.
6. Comparative advantage, specialization, global trade patterns, and economic growth can influence
the globalization process and possibly lead to economic protectionism for some countries.

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Unit 7

7. Political systems and political sovereignty impact the global economy, and international treaties,
charters, agreements, and laws can affect individual geographic areas, various cultures, and
international relationships.
8. Western values such as democracy, individual rights, and capitalism have impacted many nonWestern cultures.

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Unit 7

Essential Questions
1. What methods of data collection and visual representations can enhance understanding of the
globalization process?
2. How have physical location and characteristics impacted population distribution and human
activity?
3. What significant historical events have contributed to globalization?
4. What geographic factors have contributed to globalization?
5. How have the movements of people, goods, and ideas impacted globalization?
6. What technological and informational revolutions have affected globalization?
7. How has the physical environment of some areas changed as a result of globalization?
8. How has globalization affected climate, natural resources, and species?
9. How have the sustainability and depletion of natural resources as well as preservation and
conservation efforts impacted economic growth and development?
10. How has globalization contributed to religious and/or ethnic conflicts?
11. How have cultural groups chosen to become homogenized and/or maintain their distinct cultural
characteristics following contact with other groups?
12. How are issues concerning the cultural identity/identities evident in the literature, philosophy, art,
music, and pop culture of specific areas?
13. How has globalization impacted immigration, migration, and demographics?
14. Has globalization positively and/or negatively affected the adaptive strategies of the cultural
groups in certain areas?
15. What preventative measures have some cultural groups taken to protect their adaptive strategies?
16. How have issues concerning social and human rights affected participation in globalization?
17. Which transnational corporations have impacted the globalization process, and how?
18. How have comparative advantage and specialization influenced the globalization process?
19. How do global trade patterns in terms of natural, human, and capital resource flows impact
globalization?
20. How can economic growth have both positive and negative effects on people and places?
21. In what ways has economic protectionism affected some cultural groups, geographic areas, and
global statuses?
22. How do political systems impact involvement in the global economy?
23. How has globalization affected the perception of political sovereignty for different countries?
24. How have supranational organizations influenced the development of globalization in different
countries?
25. How have international nongovernmental organizations influenced the development of
globalization in different countries?
26. How have international treaties, charters, agreements, and laws affected geographic areas,
cultures, and international relationships in different countries?
27. How have non-Western cultures been impacted by Western values such as democracy, individual
rights, and capitalism?
28. What are the similarities and differences in globalization processes for different countries?
29. How can increasing globalization impact definitions of geography and established geographic
areas?

21st Century Geography

Unit 7

21st Century Geography

Unit 7

Unit Goals
What do students need to KNOW?

Methods of data collection

Different visual representations for different purposes

How the location and characteristics of a place impact

population distribution and human activity

Historical events leading to globalization

Geographic factors leading to globalization

Movements of people, goods, and ideas leading to

globalization

Technological and informational revolutions leading to

globalization

Changes in the physical environment resulting from

globalization

How globalization affects climate, natural resources, and

species

How sustainability and depletion of natural resources impact

economic growth and development

How human perception of a geographic area can lead to

modification of the environment

How preservation and conservation efforts impact

economies

Cultural, economic, and political changes resulting from

globalization

Religious/ethnic conflicts resulting from globalization

How and why some groups maintain their distinctiveness

following contact with other groups

How globalization affects immigration, migration, and

demographic transition

How globalization affects the adaptive strategies and

preventative measures of some cultural groups

Issues concerning social and human rights

The impact of transnational corporations on globalization

The influence of comparative advantage and specialization

on globalization

The relationship between globalization and global trade

patterns (natural, human, and capital resource flows)

Effects of economic growth on people and places

Effects of economic protectionism on cultural groups,

geographic areas, and global status

The impact of political systems on global economy

The effects of globalization on perceptions of political

sovereignty

Supranational and international nongovernmental

organizations that affect globalization

International treaties, charters, agreements, and laws that

affect areas, cultures, and international relationships

The impact of Western values on non-Western cultures

The similarities and differences in the globalization

processes of different countries

How globalization is impacting definitions of geography and

established geographic areas

21st Century Geography

Unit 7

What do students need to be able to DO?

Use various types of maps, charts, and visual

representations to gather and interpret information and draw
conclusions

Explain how the location and characteristics of a place

impact population distribution and human activity

Outline the historical events and geographic factors that

contribute to a countrys globalization process

Explain how movements of people, goods, and ideas

contributed to a countrys globalization process

Identify technological and informational revolutions that

contributed to a countrys globalization process

Identify changes in a countrys physical environment

resulting from globalization

Explain how globalization has affected a countrys climate,

natural resources, and species

Analyze how the sustainability and depletion of a countrys

natural resources as well as preservation and conservation
efforts concerning those resources impact economic growth
and development

Explain how human perception of a geographic area can lead

to modification of the environment

Identify a countrys cultural, economic, and political changes

resulting from globalization

Identify a countrys religious/ethnic conflicts resulting from

globalization

Explain how and why some cultural groups choose to

maintain their distinct cultural characteristics following
contact with other groups

Analyze how a countrys globalization process has affected

immigration, migration, and demographic transition

Explain how globalization has affected the adaptive

strategies and preventative measures of a countrys cultural
groups

Identify a countrys issues concerning social and human

rights

Analyze the impact of transnational corporations on a

countrys globalization process

Analyze a countrys comparative advantage and

specialization resulting from globalization

Analyze the relationship between globalization and a

countrys global trade patterns concerning natural, human,
and capital resource flows

Explain the positive and negative effects of a countrys

economic growth on its people and places

Explain the positive and negative effects of a countrys

economic protectionism on its cultural groups, geographic
areas, and global status

Analyze the impact of a countrys political system on global

economy

Explain the effects of globalization on a countrys perception

of political sovereignty

Identify supranational and international nongovernmental

organizations that affect a countrys globalization process

Explain how supranational and international

nongovernmental organizations affect a countrys
globalization process

Analyze how international treaties, charters, agreements,

and laws affect a countrys geographic areas, cultural
groups, and international relationships

Analyze the impact of Western values on non-Western

cultures

Compare and contrast the globalization processes of

different countries
Analyze how globalization is impacting definitions of
geography and established geographic areas

I Can Statements

I Can use different data collection methods and visual representations to provide an abundance of
information.

I Can explain how the location and characteristics of a place impact population distribution and
human activity.

I Can outline the historical events and geographic factors that contribute to a countrys globalization
process.

I Can explain how movements of people, goods, and ideas contributed to a countrys globalization
process.

I Can identify technological and informational revolutions that contributed to a countrys globalization
process.

I Can identify changes in a countrys physical environment resulting from globalization.

I Can explain how globalization has affected a countrys climate, natural resources, and species.

I Can analyze how the sustainability and depletion of a countrys natural resources as well as
preservation and conservation efforts concerning those resources impact economic growth and
development.

I Can explain how human perception of a geographic area can lead to modification of the
environment.

I Can identify a countrys cultural, economic, and political changes resulting from globalization.

I Can identify a countrys religious/ethnic conflicts resulting from globalization.

I Can explain how and why some cultural groups choose to maintain their distinct cultural
characteristics following contact with other groups.

I Can analyze how a countrys globalization process has affected immigration, migration, and
demographic transition.

I Can explain how globalization has affected the adaptive strategies and preventative measures of a
countrys cultural groups.

I Can identify a countrys issues concerning social and human rights.

I Can analyze the impact of transnational corporations on a countrys globalization process.

I Can analyze a countrys comparative advantage and specialization resulting from globalization.

I Can analyze the relationship between globalization and a countrys global trade patterns concerning
natural, human, and capital resource flows.

I Can explain the positive and negative effects of a countrys economic growth on its people and
places.

I Can explain the positive and negative effects of a countrys economic protectionism on its cultural
groups, geographic areas, and global status.

I Can analyze the impact of a countrys political system on global economy.

I Can explain the effects of globalization on a countrys perception of political sovereignty.

I Can identify supranational and international nongovernmental organizations that affect a countrys
globalization process.

21st Century Geography

Unit 7

I Can explain how supranational and international nongovernmental organizations affect a countrys
globalization process.

I Can analyze how international treaties, charters, agreements, and laws affect a countrys
geographic areas, cultural groups, and international relationships.

I Can analyze the impact of Western values on non-Western cultures.

I Can compare and contrast the globalization processes of different countries.

I Can analyze how globalization is impacting definitions of geography and established geographic
areas.

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Unit 7

Aligned Course Essential Standards

G.1 Apply
geographic
skills to
understand the
spatial
relationship
between
humans and
their
environment.

G.2 Analyze the

historical
antecedents
and geographic
factors that led
to the
development of
globalization.

G.3 Analyze
Changes in the
physical
environment as
a result of
globalization.

G.4 Analyze
changes in
culture as a
result of
globalization.

G.5 Analyze
changes in
economics as a
result of
globalization.

G.6 Analyze
changes in
politics as a
result of
globalization.

G.1.1 Compare
various
methods of
data collection
used for
research, such
as land
surveys,
interviews, and
databases.

G.2.1 Interpret
the origin and
processes of
globalization
using historical
and
geographical
perspectives.

G.3.1 Compare
the physical
environments
and the effects
of globalization
on the climate,
natural
resources, and
species of
various places.

G.4.1 Compare
the cultural
characteristics
of various
places and the
effects of
globalization on
those places.

G.5.1 Analyze
transnational
corporations in
terms of their
role in the
globalization
process.

G.6.1 Evaluate
the extent to
which the
political system
of a place
impacts its
involvement in
the global
economy.

G.1.2 Compare
various types of
visual
representations
, such as
traditional and
mental maps,
charts, graphs,
and remote
imaging.
G.1.3 Use
geographic
data and visual
representations
to interpret
spatial
relationships
and to draw
conclusions
about observed
phenomena.

G.2.2 Analyze
how the
movement of
goods, people,
and ideas
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.
G.2.3 Analyze
how various
technological
and
informational
revolutions have
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.
G.2.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which certain
historic/geograp
hic factors
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.

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Unit 7

G.3.2 Analyze
the relationship
between
sustainability
and natural
resource
depletion in
terms of
economic
growth and
development.
G.3.3 Explain
how places are
influenced by
human
perception and
modification of
the
environment.
G.3.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which
preservation
and
conservation
efforts impact
local, national,
and global

G.4.2 Analyze
how
globalization
has created
religious and
ethnic conflict.
G.4.3 Analyze
localism and
ways cultural
groups
maintain their
distinct cultural
characteristics.
G.4.4 Analyze
the impact of
globalization on
population
migration and
demographic
transition.
G.4.5 Analyze
the use of
adaptive
strategies and
preventative
measures by
various cultures
in a global
environment.

G.5.2 Explain
how
comparative
advantage and
specialization
influence the
globalization
process.
G.5.3 Analyze
global trade
patterns in
terms of
natural,
human, and
capital
resource flows.
G.5.4 Evaluate
the effects of
economic
growth on
people and
places in terms
of costs and
benefits.
G.5.5 Evaluate
economic
protectionism
in terms of
costs and
benefits.

G.6.2 Analyze
the relationship
between
political
sovereignty and
globalization.
G.6.3 Analyze
supra-national
organizations in
terms of their
purpose,
development,
and products.
G.6.4 Analyze
international
nongovernment
al organizations
in terms of their
purpose and
contributions.
G.6.5 Analyze
international
treaties,
charters, and
agreements in
terms of their
purpose and
effects on
various places.

economies.

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Unit 7

G.4.6 Evaluate
the impact of
globalization on
the
organization
and success of
social and
human rights
movements.

G.6.6 Explain
the impact of
Western values
such as
democracy,
individual
rights, and
capitalism on
various places.

Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies

READING

WRITING

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

R.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support

analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting
insights gained from specific details to an understanding
of the text as a whole.

W.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on disciplinespecific content.

R.11-12.10 Read and comprehend history/social

studies texts in the grade 11-CCR text complexity band
independently and proficiently.

W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts,

including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

Additional Reading Standards:

Additional Writing Standards:

R.11-12.2. Determine the central ideas or information

of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary that makes clear the relationships among the
key details and ideas.

W.11-12.3 not applicable as a separate requirement

R.11-12.3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or

events and determine which explanation best accords
with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text
leaves matters uncertain.
R.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing
how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key
term over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison
defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
R.11-12.5. Analyze in detail how a complex primary
source is structured, including how key sentences,
paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to
the whole.
R.11-12.6 Evaluate authors differing points of view on
the same historical event or issue by assessing the
authors claims, reasoning, and evidence.
R.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media
(e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in
order to address a question or solve a problem.
R.11-12.8 Evaluate an authors premises, claims, and
evidence by corroborating or challenging them with
other information.
R.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources,
both primary and secondary, into a coherent
understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies
among sources.

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Unit 7

W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which

the development, organization, and style are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on addressing what is most
significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to
produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new
arguments or information.
W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects to answer a question (including a selfgenerated question) or solve a problem; narrow or
broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize
multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under investigation.
W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple
authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced
searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations
of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and
audience; integrate information into the text selectively
to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and
overreliance on any one source and following a standard
format for citation.
W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames
(time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames
(a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of disciplinespecific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Assessment Options:
W1- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Arguments

After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that argues your position on ____. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past
or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the direction U.S. policies regarding China should take in the future. Support your
position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give
examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the direction Mexico should take in order to secure its political, economic, and
cultural future. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge
competing views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify
your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the best way for anti-apartheid groups in South Africa to respond to the current
situation. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge
competing views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify
your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the direction U.S. policies regarding the Middle East should take in the future.
Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing
views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your
position.

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that addresses the question, and support your
position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: Which direction should U.S. policies regarding China take in the future? After analyzing
a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question, and support
your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give
examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: Which direction should Mexico take in order to secure its political, economic, and
cultural future? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that
addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate
and clarify your position.

Example: What is the best way for anti-apartheid groups in South Africa to respond to the
current situation? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that
addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate
and clarify your position.

Example: Which direction should U.S. policies regarding the Middle East take in the future? After
analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question, and
support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views.
Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

21st Century Geography

Unit 7

W2- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Informative Texts

After reading a variety of texts, write a ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
Western values and explains how Western values conflict with those in historical China as well as
how globalization has impacted this conflict. Support your discussion with evidence from your
research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines the
social inequities in Mexico and explains the factors that contribute to that inequity (such as
property ownership, natural resources, industrialization, education, natural disasters, migration,
etc). Support your discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or
implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines the
system of apartheid in South Africa and explains its causes and effects. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines 21 st
century geography and explains how globalization is impacting definitions of 21st century
geography and specific geographic areas. Support your discussion with evidence from your
research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support
your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: What are Western values, how do they conflict with those in historical China, and how
has globalization impacted this conflict? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts,
write an essay that defines Western values and explains how Western values conflict with those
in historical China as well as how globalization has impacted this conflict. Support your
discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: What are the social inequities in Mexico, and what are the factors that contribute to
that inequity? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
the social inequities in Mexico and explains the factors that contribute to that inequity (such as
property ownership, natural resources, industrialization, education, natural disasters, migration,
etc). Support your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications
can you draw?

Example: What is the system of apartheid in South Africa, and what are its causes and effects?
After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines the system of
apartheid in South Africa and explains its causes and effects. Support your discussion with
evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: What is 21st century geography, and how is globalization impacting definitions of 21 st
century geography and specific geographic areas? After analyzing a variety of written and visual
texts, write an essay that defines 21st century geography and explains how globalization is
impacting definitions of 21st century geography and specific geographic areas. Support your
discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

R1/R10- Literacy Common Core Power Standards: Reading Closely Over Time with a Variety of Grade-Level
Texts

Historical texts (primary and secondary)

Religious texts
Legal texts
Philosophical texts
Literary texts
Artistic representations

21st Century Geography

Unit 7

Musical representations
Language study

21st Century Geography

Unit 7