Our Interconnected World
Driving Question: How are our lives today similar and different from each other, and how can history help explain these variations and commonalities?
This lesson introduces the big ideas linking globalization, nationalism, and internationalism to help you make sense of the systems that connect us.
Learning Objectives:
- Use evidence to explain how globalization has shaped both shared experiences and differences in the modern world.
- Use the historical thinking practice of continuity and change over time to analyze how communities, networks, and production and distribution have evolved in the era of globalization.
Opener: Our Interconnected World
What do we mean when we talk about globalization? By connecting this word to others you already know, you’ll be able to shrink this global process into bite-sized pieces.
Looking Ahead
Globalization has connected people and places like never before. Start exploring how shared challenges and diverse experiences have shaped our modern, interconnected world.
Our Interconnected World
What is globalization, and how did it shape the world we live in today? These materials will get you thinking about how connections across time and place have created both opportunities and inequalities.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- How has the world globalized?
- What does it mean to argue that globalization is flattening?
- By contrast, what does it mean to argue that globalization is lumpy?
- Does the global economic data from the past 50 to 100 years support the idea that the world is becoming more equal, or less equal?
- How does the history of Detroit show us both the advantages and disadvantages of globalization?
After you watch
Respond to these questions: Which historical trends from earlier in the course are still important today? How have those trends changed or stayed the same? Use examples from the video to support your answer.
Key Ideas
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- When did globalization begin?
- What does it mean to call the era after the Second World War to today an era of intense globalization?
- How did the end of the Cold War change our global economic system?
- What changes to the environment has globalization helped to promote?
After you read
Respond to this question: At this point, would you argue that globalization has been a positive or a negative trend for the human species as a whole? Support your answer with evidence.
Globalization Frames
Understanding the connections and complexities of our modern world can feel overwhelming. The frames can help you grapple with the complexity and see the connections more clearly.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- In what ways are we all connected as part of a global network?
- How can we view globalization through the lens of the production and distribution frame?
- In what ways are we members of global communities?
- What are some problems with globalization?
After you watch
Respond to this question: How can looking through the three frames help you evaluate the impact of globalization?
Key Ideas
Closer: Our Interconnected World
Coming Soon!
Introduction to Globalization
We know the world is becoming more connected by the day, but what are the consequences? In this article, you’ll examine the good, the bad, and the ugly of globalization, and you’ll consider your role in making it a positive force in the future.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What late-twentieth-century trends led people to create the term globalization?
- What are some historical trends that accelerated globalization before the late twentieth century?
- What are some impacts of globalization in terms of migration and economics?
- What are some positive impacts of globalization?
- What are some negative impacts of globalization?
After you read
Respond to these questions: Do you believe globalization has had a positive impact on your family and community? Why or why not?
