Think global, act local

I will not be in class today (Wed Oct 18), so here is the work you are responsible for in class. This applies to both Honors and Regular sections.

First of all, I want to say how happy I am to see more class discussion in the last couple sessions. I really believe that the topics and material we cover in class have a direct bearing on our lives, so you should feel free to offer your opinions - whether or not you agree with me! "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism," especially in the classroom.

In class today, please read the rest of this blog, take notes on this material, and post the notes in your blog. Then, go online and find two other definitions of Globalization, and post them to your blog. ALSO, do the assignment that is described under "Thinking Geographically: From Global to Local." Post this information to your blog.

Thank you for your cooperation - be nice to your sub - be focused and productive! I will see you tomorrow. 

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Geographers think about scale at many levels, from local to global. At a local scale, such as an urban neighborhood, geographers tend to see unique features. At the global scale, encompassing the entire world, geographers tend to see broad patterns. 
A generation ago, people concerned with environmental quality proclaimed, “Think global, act local.” The phrase meant that the environment was being harmed by processes such as global warming that were global in scale, but it could be improved by actions, such as consuming less gasoline, that were local in scale. Contemporary geographers offer a different version of the phrase: “Think and act both global and local.” All scales from local to global are important in geography—the appropriate scale depends on the specific subject. Geography matters in the contemporary world because it can explain human actions at all scales, from local to global. At the national and international scales, geography is concerned with such questions as where the population is growing rapidly, where the followers of different religions live, and where corporations place factories. Geography also studies why these arrangements can cause problems.

GlobalizationScale is an increasingly important concept in geography because of globalization, which is a force or process that involves the entire world and results in making something worldwide in scope. Globalization means that the scale of the world is shrinking—not literally in size, of course, but in the ability of a person, object, or idea to interact with a person, object, or idea in another place. People are plugged into a global economy and culture, producing a world that is more uniform, integrated, and interdependent. The world contains only a handful of individuals who lead such isolated and sheltered lives that they have never watched a television set, used a telephone, or been in a motor vehicle. Even extremely isolated and sheltered people are at least aware of the existence of these important means of connection

Thinking Geographically: From Global to Local

Take some time to freely and openly explore your own personal items (computers, notebooks, pencil cases, clothes) and various different items in the classroom. Record where your items come from or where they are made. Think about the things that you use most at your home. Do you know the name brands of the items that you use the most? (i.e. TV, Samsung, Computer, Apple) List these items and their country of origin. Try answer these questions about each item: What company made them? Where is that company from? Where was your specific product made? Enter this information in your blog.