Final Blog Project - Globalization in the Modern World

In The Economics of Globalization, A Labor View, AFLCIO leader Thomas Palley defines globalization as "a process of international integration of national goods, financial, and labor markets. It is a process that is being
driven by firms through their competitive search for profits, and it is also being driven by the process of market arbitrage which works to ensure that the same goods sell for the same price no matter where they are traded. In a sense, none of this is new, and globalization is just the logical extension to the international economy of processes that have long operated within our own domestic economy for over one hundred years."

http://www.aaas.org/spp/yearbook/2000/ch8.pdf

As with many other controversial issues of international importance, globalization presents both opportunities and challenges. Although the process of integration of markers and policies creates some new problems, it also offers the possibility of addressing old concerns and expanding the reach of resources needed to prevent crises to developing regions and people around the world.

Your term project will require exploring ONE specific aspect of globalization and it's impact on the economy and human rights and development in several areas of the world.

Directions:
I) Select a topic from the list below and actively read the article(s) provided. (In the areas where more than one article is indicated, the purpose of assigning multiple sources is to cover all of the components of your response. Don't be turned off from what looks like potentially "more work", as we will be working with the topics for several weeks, it is key that it be interesting to you.)

1) Technology and the Digital Divide:
http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=48

2) Music Piracy/ File Sharing http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1042_globalmusic/index.shtml (be sure to read the introduction and sections entitled "the global music machine" and "music piracy")

3) World Health and Perscription Drugs
http://www.globalization101.org/uploads/File/Health/health2010.pdf

And either:
a) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/4885714.stm



4) Environmental protection

Introduction: http://www.globalization101.org/issue/environment/

and ONE of the articles linked onto the "Are International Trade and Protection of the Environment Enemies" OR "International Environmental Problems and the Efforts to Solve Them" sections

5) Energy
Introduction: http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=326

and ONE of the sub topics listed on the index on the link above (Nuclear Power, Alternative Sources, Energy and the Environment or Energy and Development)

6) Labor / worker's rights:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4331896.stm

AND EITHER

a) http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=27
OR

b) http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=news1&id=111 (emphasizes NAFTA)
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

7) Child Labor:
http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=462


8) Women's Development
http://www.globalization101.org/issue_main/woman

You must address all of the following issues in your project (consider this an optional outline):

a. A description of the political and economic context (development index, role in global economy, etc.) in the nations you selected.

b. an overview of the issues you identified as a matter of importance in these nations (the globalization issue)

c. An explanation of how each of the nations (2 or more) you selected are being impacted by this issue

d. A comparison and evaluation of the impact of these changes on the nations you selected (consider different social classes in your response)

Your final project may be submitted in the form of a paper, powerpoint, scrapbook, website or video with substantial narration.
It must
-be no shorter than 700 words (3-5 pages typed) in length.
-reflect research from no fewer than three outside sources beyond the links posted above.
-include an MLA works cited list as evidence of this research.
-incorporate no fewer than three images
-be presented during our class to your peers during finals week.

Note - this presentation is in addition to not in place of a final exam. A review sheet for units 1-6 will be distributed for your review in class by the end of this week.

This project is due Wednesday June 1 at the beginning of class.