What is globalization? What does it look like in the 21st century? With Germany leading the way as Europe’s largest economy students will examine globalization through the lens of Germany’s geography, history, economics, politics, and society to gain a better understanding of the important role the nation plays nations plays in today’s world.
Essential Questions:
Geographically, how do German Lander compare to American states?
How does Germany Benefit from its role in the European Union?
Is Germany an Immigrant Nation?
Major Concepts:
C3 Framework Indicator: D2.Geo2.9-12
Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic dynamics
D2.Geo6.9-12
Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of specific places and regions
D2.Civ1.9-12
Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of local, state, tribal, national and international civic and political institutions
Major Content:
5 Themes of Geography
German states compared with American states and our local region
History and impact of the European Union
Demographic profile of Germany and push/pull factors for refugees and asylum seekers
Unit Assessments:
Using geographic descriptors and comparisons to Germany, create a tourism commercial enticing Germans to visit Vermont or New Hampshire.
Test: EU member countries, factors of the Lisbon and Copenhagen Criteria, comparison of advantages/disadvantages of Germany’s membership in the EU.
Refugee story analysis: Why did a majority of refugees seek asylum in Germany in 2015?
Essential Questions:
How do some moments in history signal change?
Why do some individuals transcend time and become major contributors to world civilization?
Major Concepts:
D2.His1.9-12 Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances
D2Hist14.9-12 Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past.
D2Soc7.9-12 Cite examples of how culture influences the individuals in it.
Major Content:
Post World War II
Cold War Turning Points
The Berlin Wall and its impact.
Peaceful revolution in 1989
German Reunification
Zeitgiest – People in Germany who have contributed to world civilization
Unit Assessment:
Focus on how citizens peaceful protests contributed to the collapse of East Germany and the challenges that a divided country faces in becoming one country.
Students will examine the lives of individuals who have made significant contributions to society and culture in Germany and beyond.
Students will use what they learn to create trading cards highlighting important details of that person’s life, including their specific achievements.
Students will then reflect on the concept of zeitgeist for these change makers and in their own lives.
Essential Questions:
What is life like for a German teenager?
How are schools organized to meet the needs of a society?
Is it possible to achieve gender equality?
Major Concepts:
D2.Civ10.9-12 Analyze the impact and roles of personal interests and perspectives on the application of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional, and human rights.
D2Civ5.9-12 Evaluate citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
Major Content:
German school and education system
Gender equality and family life in Germany
World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report
Unit Assessments:
Essential Questions:
What is the role of government?
What is the role of the individual in German society and government?
Major Concepts:
D2.Civ10.9-12 Analyze the impact and roles of personal interests and perspectives on the application of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional, and human rights.
Major Content:
German Constitution and Rights
Germany’s multiparty political system
German electoral system
How the German federal system compares with the US federal system
Unit Assessments:
Essential Questions:
What is the significance of Germany’s trade relationships with the United States?
What is “made in Germany”? Why does it matter?
How does Germany invest in the US?
Major Concepts:
D2.Eco14.9-12 Analyze the role of comparative advantage in international trade of goods and services.
Major Content:
Germany’s trading partners and agreements
Goods/services that are “made in Germany”
German investment in the United States – building manufacturing facilities in the US
Unit Assessments:
Possible research/presentations on major German industries/brands that are global leaders
Essential Questions:
Is Germany the global model of sustainable environmental progress?
Major Concepts:
D2.Eco14.9-12 Analyze the role of comparative advantage in international trade of goods and services.
Major Content:
Sustainability
Green technology
Sustainability and daily life in Germany
Corporate environmental sustainability
How Germany is addressing its carbon footprint and addressing climate change at the individual, corporate, and governmental levels
Skills:
Primary source reading, analysis, and evaluation
Argument reading, analysis, evaluation, formulation
small-group work
Presentation
Participating in online class discussions/forums
Strategies for reading different types of text
Notetaking, organization of class materials
Writing clear arguments supported by evidence
Development of geography skills
Major Instructional Strategies:
Critical Exploration
Lecture/Discussion
Student research and presentation
Small-group collaboration and presentation
Major Texts/Resources/Materials Used:
Germany in Focus – Goethe Institut US