Contextualization

Theoretical Introduction

Globalization is a phenomenon that originated in the second half of the 20th century, marked by the intensification of connections and relationships between different regions of the world. This process is characterized by an unprecedented flow of people, goods, money, information, and ideas across national borders. It involves not only the economy but also culture, politics, technology, and the environment.

The term 'Globalized World' refers to the state of the world as a 'single global system,' where parts interact with each other at a global level, not just locally or regionally. This phenomenon is driven by a combination of technological advances (such as the Internet and other means of communication), neoliberal economic policies, international trade agreements, and changes in political systems.

In the context of Geography, globalization is a crucial concept to understand how the planet is increasingly interconnected. Consequently, events that occur in one place have the ability to directly or indirectly affect regions that are geographically distant. Thus, globalization has significant implications for the global economy, international relations, culture, the environment, and society as a whole.

Contextualization

In the contemporary world, globalization has profound and varied impacts. Economically, globalization has promoted the expansion of international trade, the mobilization of capital on a global scale, and the emergence of large multinational corporations. These developments have contributed to prosperity in various parts of the world but have also led to economic and social inequalities both between and within countries.

Furthermore, globalization also has profound cultural implications. The dissemination of ideas, knowledge, values, and lifestyles across borders has promoted a certain degree of cultural homogenization. However, at the same time, it has also contributed to the blending of cultures and the formation of new cultural hybrids.

To deepen your knowledge on the subject, I recommend consulting the following reliable resources:

1. Articles in the Encyclopedia Britannica on 'Globalization' (https://www.britannica.com/topic/globalization) and 'The impact of globalization on the economy' (https://www.britannica.com/topic/globalization/The-influence-of-globalization-on-economy).
2. The book 'The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century' by Thomas L. Friedman, which addresses globalization and its effects on contemporary society.
3. Videos from the series 'Geography: Globalization' by Khan Academy (https://pt.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/globalization-21st-century).
4. The documentary 'The True Cost,' available on Netflix, which explores the global impacts of the fashion industry, an interesting example of globalization.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Connecting the World: Tracking the Paths of Globalization'

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to lead students to explore and understand the phenomenon of globalization through a practical and collaborative research that investigates and maps the global connections of a common everyday object.

Detailed Project Description

Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group must choose a common object (for example, a smartphone, a piece of clothing, a type of food, etc.) and conduct research to track and map its 'global chain,' that is, the path the object has taken from its origin to the consumer.

The research should cover the following aspects:

1. Origin of the components or raw materials of the object.
2. Countries involved in the production and assembly of the object.
3. Main transportation routes (maritime, air, land) used to distribute the object.
4. Sociocultural, environmental, and economic impacts related to the production and consumption of the object.

The project will involve both the discipline of Geography (to understand the origin and distribution of the object and its geo-economic and cultural impacts) and History (to explore the historical background that enabled globalization and the creation of such global production chains).

Required Materials

There is no need for physical materials for this project. However, students will need access to the Internet and digital resources to conduct their research. It is also recommended to use a presentation software (such as PowerPoint or Google Slides) to prepare the final presentation.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students and ask each group to choose an object for investigation. Make students understand that part of the project challenge is to choose an object that has a complex global chain.

2. Students should conduct detailed research to track the global chain of the chosen object. They should investigate the origin of components or raw materials, the countries involved in production and assembly, the transportation routes used for distribution, and the impacts associated with the production and consumption of the object.

3. Students should document their findings and, at the same time, think critically about how globalization enables the existence of these complex global production and trade chains.

4. Each group should prepare a visual presentation (for example, a slide presentation or a digital poster) that describes the global chain of the object and discusses their findings. The presentation should also include discussions on the sociocultural, environmental, and economic impacts associated with the production and consumption of the object.

5. The groups will present their findings to the class and answer questions from their peers and the teacher.

Project Deliverables and Written Document

In addition to the presentation, each group must submit a written report of the project, which should include the following topics:

Introduction

The introduction should explain the choice of object, its relevance to the globalized world, and the project's objective.

Development

The development should contain the theory of globalization and how it applies to the chosen object. It should explain the methodology used for research and present in detail the global chain of the object, including the origin of components or raw materials, the countries involved in production and assembly, the transportation routes used for distribution, and the impacts associated with the production and consumption of the object.

Conclusions

The conclusions should review the main points of the research, reflect on the project's learnings, and discuss the implications of globalization based on the chosen object.

Bibliography

The bibliography should list all sources used for research and for the preparation of the report.

This project will require a lot of research and writing time, as well as effective group coordination. Thus, it will not only deepen students' knowledge of globalization but also reinforce important skills such as cooperation, time management, and critical thinking.