Food and Globalization

Teams of students explore globalization by researching the issues surrounding one of several controversies involving food: local food culture, food biotechnology, food pollution, and food diseases. The teams present their findings and argue their positions.

Objectives

Students will do the following:

Develop a more nuanced understanding of global economic issues and trends.
Strengthen their research and analytical skills.
Debate controversial topics with the goal of gaining respect for individual differences and common ground.
Use technology to explore complex issues.

Learning outcomes

1. After this first research period, meet to share your findings and discuss them. Your aim is to clearly define the pro- and anti- globalization aspects of your focus area. What are the key arguments from both sides? What do the different sides hope to achieve?

· 2. Conduct thorough research on your topic so that you can cite at least three substantial resources (such as full-length reports, in-depth features, and databases).

· 3. Write a two- to three-page position paper that uses both persuasion and facts (including one table or chart with statistics, plus one photograph or illustration) to advance your point of view. Send your results to Schoolloop Drop box!

· 4. Prepare a five- to seven-slide PowerPoint presentation that summarizes your argument and evidence.

5. Within your team, everyone should conduct and share research, but you may want to assign one or two members to write the position paper and another one or two to develop the PowerPoint presentation. Send your results to Schoolloop Drop box!

6. As you tackle your research, draw on the work of your larger focus group as a starting point. While you dig more deeply into your topic and your particular position on it, be sure to examine the source of each new research find. You want resources that are credible even if they take an advocacy position.

"Globalization" is a word that’s on everyone’s lips these days. How would you define it?

Economists typically define globalization as the integration and interdependence of many nations' and regions' economies around the world. The key idea is that these connections operate on many levels —from pure trade, to the flow of labor and investment across borders, to rapidly expanding communications technologies. In other words, these different economies relate to one another in complex ways.

Even if we agree generally on the definition of globalization, we may not agree on how to value it or respond to it. Some people welcome globalization, while others protest against it.

To explore globalization, you’ll focus on an essential human need: food. Globalization issues are very complex. As you research and analyze these issues, you’ll uncover many challenges and questions. You will find no easy answers. The challenge will be to formulate your own position on globalization and food on the basis of your research. You will present your position and argue for it at the class summit. During this debate, you’ll have to support your position with well-reasoned and well-supported arguments while you listen carefully and respectfully to the positions and arguments of others. The goal will be to agree upon a plan for action.

Student activity

Lesson extension activities

Group 1 - Cultures and fast food. What is your opinion?

Group 2 - What is your opinion? - biotechnology

Group 3 - Food and disease. - What is your opinion?

Group 4 - The impact of pollution to our food supply

Group 5 - HIV and the world population - What is your opinion? Should we care?

Research websites

Background and news coverage
- A Student’s Guide to Globalization - http://www.globalization101.org/
  The Levin Institute site provides definitions, comprehensive interdisciplinary information on globalization, news analyses, links to other helpful sites, and an opportunity to ask experts questions.
- MSNBC
  Search for the word "globalization" for recent news coverage and commentary.
- BBC News Special Report ”Globalization: What on Earth is it about?"

Organizations/reports

"Globalization: Threat or Opportunity?"
Reports and position papers from the International Monetary Fund
World Trade Organization
Statistics and reports
KOF Index of Globalization
Detailed data, graphs, and maps on three main dimensions of globalization (economic, social, and political).
CorpWatch
This organization investigates and reports on multinational corporate accountability and transparency and advocates for human rights.
Policy Innovations: The central address for more equitable globalization
Op-ed length essays on more equitable globalization by policy innovators.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
This organization advocates for sustainable agriculture and local farmers.
Organic Consumers Association
Advocates for "Food Safety, Organic Agriculture, Fair Trade & Sustainability"; includes content on bioengineering and Mad Cow disease.

Summary

Walking in your “foodsteps”

Think about one meal that you have eaten in the past week. How far back can you trace its ingredients? Just back to the refrigerator? To a local store? Or even all the way back to a particular farm or garden?

To be completed by Monday and Tuesday to be discussed in class.