Conduct a Geographic Investigation
Chapter Issue: To what extent does globalization empower individuals and
groups in society?
Task
You have been hired by the Canadian government to explore how
globalization has affected children and youth or women, in a specific
country. You will use your research to decide how globalization might be
used to empower this group.
 Select a country
 Decide whether you will focus on children/youth OR women
Resources and Websites
NationMaster
Atlapedia Online
BBC News: Country Profiles
CIA World Factbook 2008
Adapted from BGSD
Country Reports.org
United Nations CyberSchoolBus
Your Nation
The Globalization Website
Step 1
Using the Internet resources listed, you will begin your investigation by
answering these questions:
 Where is the country you chose in relation to where you live?
 What is its population?
 What percentage of the population is male and what percentage is
female?
 What is the average age?
 What is the average level of education in the population?
 What is the ratio of doctors to population?
 What is the average life expectancy?
 What are the country's major natural resources?
 What are the country's major industries?
 To what extent is the country industrialized?
Step 2
Now you need to gather information about the physical and human
features of the country and the impact these have on your chosen group.
Your information can include images, graphs, maps and diagrams.
 What impact do the main physical characteristics of the country,
such as its natural resources have on individuals and communities?
 What are the main human characteristics of the country? What are
the country's main industries and who are its trading partners?
 In what ways have human activities had an impact on the physical
environment?
 Over time, what have been the effects of these human activities on
the specific group you are studying?
Step 3
Use a concept web to organize your information so that you can use it in a
meaningful way. Highlight and summarize key points in your written
information.
Adapted from BGSD
Process: Analyze and Find Connections
Step 4
Analyze your information. Look for patterns, relationships and
connections.
a. Examine maps to discover and compare patterns and
relationships.
b. Study statistics and graphs to determine trends and
relationships in data.
c. Examine written accounts to interpret, explain, and combine
related information.
d. Identify similarities and patterns.
e. Think about what these similarities and patterns reveal about
what you are studying.
Step 5
You should now be able to make generalizations and draw conclusions
based on the information you have collected, organized and analyzed.
a. What generalizations can you make about the role of the
group you are studying in the country you are focusing on?
b. Has globalization led to the group's empowerment or has it
reduced their level or power in their country?
c. What is the long-term impact of the patterns you have
discovered?
d. Based on your findings, how could globalization be used to
empower the specific group in the country you are studying?
Adapted from BGSD
Process: Display and Present Findings
Step 6
Your research is now complete and now you can decide how you will
display your findings. Possible options include:




a multimedia presentation
a visual display of photographs, maps, graphs, and text
a news report with at least two visuals
an essay with at least two visuals
Resources
NationMaster
Atlapedia Online
BBC News: Country Profiles
CIA World Factbook 2008
Country Reports.org
United Nations CyberSchoolBus
Your Nation
The Globalization Website
Assessment
AM 13 Report Writing Rubric
AM 18 Multimedia Presentation Rubric
AM 19 Oral Presentation Rubric
Adapted from BGSD