Unit 1: An Introduction to the Global Village
Unit 1 provides a foundation for understanding the terminology and key issues presented in the remainder of this course. This unit familiarizes students with issues relating to human and environmental geography and introduces students to the skills and technology used in geographic study.
Key Questions
- What are global issues and how do we break down these complex issues?
- How are statistical mapping techniques used to understand global patterns?
- What are the indicators of quality of life?
- How do human and natural systems relate and interact?
- What is environmental determinism?
- What are the perspectives on global classification systems?
- How can we use demographic patterns to better understand global issues and work towards effective solutions?
What is a World Issue?
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Weekly Calendar: Sept 1 - 4
Monday
Complete Issue Organizer Activity:
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Tuesday
Using the link to the Global Issues webpage, identify a global issue and answer the questions related to the Issue, Implication, and Possible Solutions
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Issue Organizer:
When identify and analyzing world issues, there are various steps, questions, and strategies to resolve these severe challenges. The implications of a world issue can be broken down into four sub categories: (SEEP) Social, Environmental, Economic, and Political. As we explore various issues from around the globe, we will use this paradigm to ensure that all points of view are identified.
issueorganizer.pdf | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: |
Social indicators
Environmental Indicators
Environmental indicators are simple measures that tell us what is happening in the environment. Since the environment is very complex, indicators provide a more practical and economical way to track the state of the environment than if we attempted to record every possible variable in the environment. For example, concentrations of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in the atmosphere, tracked over time, is a good indicator with respect to the environmental issue of stratospheric ozone depletion.. Environmental indicators have been defined in different ways but common themes exist.
- Demographic pressures: including the pressures deriving from high volume population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining resources. The pressure from a population's settlement patterns and physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards.
- Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced persons: forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of clean water, land competition, lack of public housing, and turmoil that can spiral into larger humanitarian and security problems, both within and between countries.
- Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance: based on recent or past injustices, which could date back centuries. Including atrocities committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion. Public scapegoating of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status or power as evidenced in the emergence of "hate" radio, pamphleteering and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric.
- Chronic and sustained human flight: both the "brain drain" of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of "the middle class." Growth of exile/expatriate communities are also used as part of this indicator.
- Uneven economic development along group lines: determined by group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs, and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels, infant mortality rates, education levels.
- Sharp and/or severe economic decline: measured by a progressive economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income, GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to its citizens, such as pension payments.
- Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state: endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and processes.
- Progressive deterioration of public services: a disappearance of basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation. Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank, diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies.
- Widespread violation of human rights: an emergence of authoritarian, dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are denied due process consistent with international norms and practices. Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious or cultural persecution.)
- Security apparatus as "state within a state": an emergence of elite or praetorian guards that operate with impunity. Emergence of state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize political opponents, suspected "enemies," or civilians seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. An "army within an army" that serves the interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of rival militias, guerilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces.
- Rise of factionalised elites: a fragmentation of ruling elites and state institutions along group lines. Use of aggressive nationalistic rhetoric by ruling elites, especially destructive forms of communal irredentism or communal solidarity (e.g., "ethnic cleansing", "defending the faith").
- Intervention of other states or external factors: military or Paramilitary engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on foreign aid or peacekeeping missions
Environmental Indicators
Environmental indicators are simple measures that tell us what is happening in the environment. Since the environment is very complex, indicators provide a more practical and economical way to track the state of the environment than if we attempted to record every possible variable in the environment. For example, concentrations of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in the atmosphere, tracked over time, is a good indicator with respect to the environmental issue of stratospheric ozone depletion.. Environmental indicators have been defined in different ways but common themes exist.
Framing an Issue:
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Distinguishing Fact From Opinion:
"How do we separate fact from opinion?
Even the facts we research may be biased. If you are presenting a strong argument in favour of a situation you would not undermine your argument by presenting the contrary position. You will want to present as many facts as possible in order to persuade your audience to see your side of the issue. When it comes to World Issues there are always two sides to any issue you encounter. Some views will be popular and some others very contentious depending upon your geographic location in the world and your beliefs. Here is where you must realize that even the facts are biased to persuade you to see the author's viewpoint. Searching through bias and opinion is very much the skill you must acquire to fully understand both views of any issue. How do you know you are getting unbiased information? How can you recognize bias and opinion as you search the internet?" |
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September 8 - 12
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
Assignment 1 due tomorrow
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Friday
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World Issues in the Media: The Good, the Bad, the Indifferent:
How to Detect Media Bias & Propaganda
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Views on World Issues:
viewsonworldissues.pptx | |
File Size: | 260 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Globalization & Sustainability:
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Classifying Countries:
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Sept 15 - 19th
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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The West and Westernization:
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Modernization and the Socioeconomic Process:
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Unit 1: Culminating Activity Short Essay
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