AROUND THE WORLD PROJECT

International Trade- Why Does It Matter?

 

THEME QUESTION:  How are nations connected economically and culturally throughout the world?

 

Directions:

1.    Choose a nation and research the following topics. 

2.    Complete a Bibliography in MLA format. The Bibliography must include at least 5 types of sources: current news, official government report from chosen country, official government report from U.S. government, current periodical article, and encyclopedia entry. Careful consideration should be given to the reliability and quality of sources cited. The Bibliography may include more sources than will be used in the outline. The bibliography is due three weeks after country selection.

3.    Prepare an outline that answers the questions below. The outline should be written in complete sentences and should be in the student’s own words. For each fact, a source should be referenced in a Works Cited page in MLA format. The first four sections of the outline are due before Spring Break. The rest of the outline is due when the presentation is due. The sources in the final Works Cited page must include all five types of sources.

4.    Prepare a presentation that summarizes current political, social and economic conditions. Special emphasis should be given to international trade. The presentation should include visual, auditory, and written components. During the presentation, observing students must actively participate in at least one activity. Click here for a link to the rubric for the presentation.

 

Title: (Country Name)

 

I.              Introduction

A.    Where is the country located?

B.    How does the location/climate help determine economic activities? Be specific.

C.   What language(s) is(are) spoken? What religions are most common?

D.   What interesting or unique facts have you come across about this country?

E.    What cultural differences or practices would be important to know in order to have a better understanding of the people?

 

II.            Current Events and Issues

A.    What are current issues, conflicts, or events this country is experiencing?  (Find a minimum of 5 current event issues.)

A.    Is this country at war with any country? If so, which one(s)? Why?

B.    What is the country’s opinion or view of the United States? Why? (Include both economic and political views.)

 

I.              Economic Resources

A.    What natural resources are in abundance? Provide several examples.

B.    What natural resources are scarce? Provide several examples

C.   What is the current population? What is its rate of growth? How do these numbers compare to the United States?

D.   What is the literacy and educational attainment rate of this country? How does it compare to the United States?

E.    Is this nation’s economy considered primitive, developing, or industrialized?

 

II.            Important Industries

A.    What are the major agricultural goods produced? Provide several examples.

B.    How important is agriculture to the country's overall economy? (Output as a percent of GDP or percent of population employed)

C.   Compare the importance of agriculture in this country to that of the United States.

D.   What are the major industries? Provide at least 5 examples in order of importance.

 

III.           Government and Economic Structure

A.    What type of government does this country have?

B.    How does this nation select its leaders? Who are the leaders?

C.   What type of economic system does this country have?

D.   How involved is the government in economic decision making compared to the United States?

 

IV.          Government Taxes and Spending

A.    What are the most common types of taxes? Are they progressive, proportional, or regressive overall?

B.    What percentage of income (GDP) does the government collect in taxes?

C.   How do the types and amount of taxes compare to the United States?

D.   What types of social programs does the government provide to its people?  Give several specific examples.

E.    How extensive are they compared to the U.S.? (May use percent of GDP as a reference)

 

V.            International Trade

A.    What currency is used?

B.    What has happened to the value of this currency versus the US dollar in the past year?

C.   What are the major goods/services exported? Provide at least 5 examples in order of importance.

D.   What are the major goods/services imported? Provide at least 5 examples in order of importance.

E.    Who are the major trading partners? Provide at least 4 examples in order of importance.

F.    Does this country have a balance of trade deficit/surplus? What is the size of its deficit/surplus?

G.   How important is international trade to this country’s economy? (percent of GDP)

H.   Does this country trade with the U.S.?  If so, what goods are exchanged?

 

VI.          Current Economic Conditions

A.    What is the Gross Domestic Product? What is the current rate of growth?

B.    What is the standard of living? (GDP per capita)

C.   How does this nation’s standard of living compare to that of the United States?

D.   What is the country’s unemployment rate? How do the current numbers compare to last year?

E.    How do unemployment numbers compare to that of the United States?

F.    What is the country’s inflation rate? How does it compare to last year?

 

VII.         Future Growth and Prospects

A.    What are the current obstacles to growth?

B.    What are the current factors that support growth?

C.   What types of industries or technology are emerging? 

D.   What can you conclude about the labor force and the education system?

E.    Based on your research, what can you predict about this country’s possibilities for future growth?

F.    What can you conclude about this country’s influence on the United States’ economy in the future?