Modules

The six CGGE modules were published in September 2010. Four modules were updated with new case studies focused on India (September 2012) and Japan (March 2013). Below is a current list of case studies for each module. You can access each module using the navigation bar on the left.

National Identity

Conceptual Framework: How are people's national identities connected to places?

Case Studies:

• How is nationalism symbolized? Focus: Europe
• How do landscapes represent national identity? Focus: Ireland
• Why are public spaces sometimes contested? Focus: United States
• How is globalization transforming the borders of national identity? Focus: Southeast Asia

Example Collaborative Project:

• Students collect, compare, and discuss symbols representing national and regional cultural identities.

Global Climate Change

Conceptual Framework: Why does Earth have changing climates?

Case Studies:

• How does climate change affect the economy? Focus: Australia
• How do industrialized nations contribute to climate change? Focus: United States
• How are countries adapting to climate change? Focus: Singapore
• Where are rising sea levels threatening human and natural environments? Focus: Southeast Asia

Example Collaborative Project:

• Students calculate, map, and discuss regional patterns of carbon footprints.

Global Economy

Conceptual Framework: How are economic activities organized in different parts of the world?

Case Studies:

• How does the dairy industry operate in the global economy? Focus: New Zealand
• How does wine reach the global market? Focus: Chile
• What is the impact of foreign direct investment on the mining industry? Focus: Central and South America
• Where are new forms of manufacturing promoting economic development? Focus: East/Southeast Asia
• How can geographic interpretation of streetscapes provide local and global perspectives on transportation and manufacturing? Focus: India
• How can local natural disasters affect the global economy? Focus: Japan

Example Collaborative Project:

• Students map the various stages of production of different commodities and analyze how they reach global markets. 

Migration

Conceptual Framework: Why do people move to work in another place or country?

Case Studies:

• What are the economic effects of internal labor migration on urban and rural places? Focus: Chile
• How and why do migration experiences vary for different ethnic groups? Focus: United States
• How do labor migrants contribute to demographic change? Focus: Europe
• Why does gender matter in migration? Focus: Southeast Asia
• Is labor migration changing the landscape in Kerala? Focus: India
• How do displaced people respond and adapt to natural disasters? Focus: Japan

Example Collaborative Project:

• Students compare experiences of labor migrants in different border regions and interpret them in context of gendered and nationalist frameworks. 

Water Resources

Conceptual Framework: How are water resources managed in different places?

Case Studies:

• Why are some places vulnerable to extreme flood events? Focus: England
• Why does drought sometimes result in political conflict? Focus: United States
• Where are water resources shared across national borders? Focus: Middle East
• How do different countries practice Integrated Water Resources Management? Focus: Southeast Asia
• How do market forces shape the management and distribution of potable water? Focus: India and United States
• What types of water problems are created by natural disasters? Focus: Japan

Example Collaborative Project:

• Students role-play different stakeholders to negotiate international water rights.

Population & Natural Resources

Conceptual Framework: How does population growth affect the availability of resources?

Case Studies:

• How can food be produced sustainably to feed growing populations? Focus: Argentina
• How does urban development affect the quality and quantity of natural resources? Focus: United States
• What are the challenges of meeting the resource needs of very large populations? Focus: China
• Where are forest ecosystems vulnerable to population growth? Focus: Southeast Asia
• How can an emerging megacity create a sustainable future? Focus: India
• How can nations achieve more sustainable energy? Focus: Japan

Example Collaborative Project:

• Students analyze global trends in food production and then critically analyze whether "carrying capacity" has been reached in certain countries.