Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | America: Latin American Blocks

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This objectives section is designed to provide clear direction for both teachers and students regarding the learning goals for the class. By homing in on the specific elements of Latin America's economic blocs, it aims to equip all participants with a comprehensive understanding of the structure and functioning of these organizations, along with their significance in the global economic landscape. This stage also aims to build a common knowledge foundation that is crucial for engaging in subsequent hands-on activities.

Objective Utama:

1. Investigate the primary economic blocs of Latin America, including Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, clarifying their origins, goals, and impacts on the regional economy.

2. Examine the trade relationships and international collaborations of Latin American blocs with other global regions, focusing on market diversification and the aim for global integration.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Enhance critical thinking skills related to the benefits and obstacles of regional economic integration.
2. Encourage students to articulate and debate the significance of economic blocs in contemporary geopolitics.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction seeks to engage students through problem-based scenarios that encourage the real-world application of their existing knowledge about Latin America's economic blocs. Furthermore, the contextualization connects the subject matter with reality, illustrating the importance of studying these blocs to comprehend integration processes and their repercussions in both the business realm and international relations. This stage effectively prepares students for practical activities, helping them to apply their knowledge to realistic settings while promoting critical thinking.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine a tech company from Brazil is looking to break into the Chilean market. What potential challenges and advantages might arise in this scenario, considering the relations between Brazil and Chile within Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance?

2. Picture a situation where Argentina opts to dramatically hike import tariffs on agricultural goods from Paraguay, a Mercosur member. How could this decision impact not only Paraguay but also other Mercosur nations and, indirectly, the world economy?

Contextualization

Latin America's economic blocs are more than just theoretical constructs; they have real-world implications that influence the day-to-day lives and business strategies of individuals and companies alike. For instance, Mercosur, founded in 1991, aims to foster economic development and integration among its member countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), while the Pacific Alliance (comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) seeks to enhance trade relations and become a bloc more open to global commerce. Notably, these blocs also have implications for external regions, like the European Union, which has been engaged in negotiations with Mercosur for an association agreement for several years.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to enable students to practically and interactively apply the knowledge they've gained regarding Latin America's economic blocs. Through the suggested activities, students will confront real-life and theoretical scenarios, building negotiation proficiency, critical thinking, and strategic planning capabilities. This stage aims to solidify learning and provide a deeper understanding of the economic and political dynamics at play, equipping students to tackle complex challenges and make informed decisions.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Economic Diplomacy: The Bloc Game

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Cultivate negotiation skills and insights into the interests and challenges faced by various economic blocs in Latin America.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to 5, with each group representing one of the economic blocs under study (Mercosur or Pacific Alliance). Each group will receive scenario cards that present common trade negotiations and economic challenges. The objective is for each group to leverage their understanding of their bloc's policies and relationships to arrive at mutually beneficial agreements in simulated trade exchanges.

- Instructions:

• Split the class into groups of no more than 5 students, designating each group to represent a different economic bloc.

• Hand out scenario cards to every group, ensuring that each receives distinct scenarios.

• Each group must discuss and determine the best negotiation strategies based on their knowledge of their bloc.

• Facilitate rounds of negotiation where groups engage in discussions and propose agreements to one another.

• At the end, ask each group to present their agreements and provide reasoning for their choices.

Activity 2 - Interactive Map of the Blocs

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and analyze the economic geography of the Latin American blocs to foster a clearer understanding of their structures and challenges.

- Description: Students will work together in groups to create an interactive map utilizing software or online tools that depict the economic geography of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance. They should include details about member countries, trade agreements, and key exports and imports of each bloc.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups and provide access to digital mapping tools.

• Have each group research and map out the member countries, trade agreements, and relevant economic data pertaining to their bloc.

• Guide students in adding markers that clarify the major exports and imports for each country.

• Allow groups to present their maps to the class, explaining their design choices and the data they selected.

• Encourage a discussion on how geography affects the economic dynamics of the blocs.

Activity 3 - International Forum Simulation

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance debating and international negotiation skills while promoting a greater understanding of the complexities surrounding the issues discussed in the economic blocs.

- Description: Students will take part in a simulated international forum where they will represent delegates from member countries of the economic blocs. They will tackle current issues and propose solutions to the economic and political challenges facing their blocs, aiming to compile a final resolution document.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups, assigning each a member country from an economic bloc.

• Provide each group with a set of pre-defined discussion topics for the forum.

• Allow groups to deliberate internally on their positions and formulate arguments to present at the forum.

• Facilitate the forum, allowing each group to present their positions and negotiate with others.

• Finally, groups must draft a resolution document encapsulating the discussions and agreements reached.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This stage aims to strengthen learning by allowing students to reflect on and articulate the knowledge they've acquired through hands-on activities. The discussion reinforces their grasp of the content, fosters a collaborative learning atmosphere, and prompts students to apply their insights to real-life situations. Additionally, by addressing key questions, students showcase their analytical abilities and their capacity to apply knowledge practically, which are vital for developing both academic and professional competencies.

Group Discussion

After wrapping up the activities, facilitate a group discussion with all students. Begin the discussion by revisiting the lesson's objectives and inviting each group to share their experiences and what they learned. Encourage them to reflect on questions such as: What were the greatest challenges you faced while representing your economic bloc, and how did you navigate them? What new perspectives did you gain about trade relations and international cooperation through these activities? How might you apply this knowledge in real-world business or political situations?

Key Questions

1. What were the primary differences in negotiation approaches observed between the Mercosur and Pacific Alliance blocs?

2. How can the trade and political dynamics of economic blocs influence the global economy?

3. What role does geography play in the economic decision-making of member countries within these blocs?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to cement learning, reinforce the connection between theoretical concepts and practical application, and underline the relevance of the content covered. This stage ensures that students leave the class with a comprehensive understanding of Latin America's economic blocs, prepared to apply this knowledge in real-world contexts and future studies in geography and economics.

Summary

To wrap up the class, the teacher should provide a summary of the main points covered regarding Latin America's economic blocs, emphasizing the characteristics, aims, and impacts of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance. This recap will help solidify learning and ensure students have a clear grasp of the subjects discussed.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was underscored through interactive activities simulating genuine negotiation and economic diplomacy scenarios. This offered students the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts they had studied and visualize how these ideas are essential for the business and political choices faced by nations within the economic blocs.

Closing

It's crucial to highlight the significance of economic blocs in daily life and international affairs. Grasping these structures is fundamental for fostering informed and engaged citizens capable of participating actively in discussions about global politics and economics, as well as making educated decisions in both personal and professional contexts.