Grade 8 students are learning about globalization in their humanities class. After several weeks of studying globalization and its effects on different countries, the students dove into month-long research on a selected topic and country. The goal was to investigate the different effects of globalization - looking at either economic, cultural, or social globalization in (mostly developing) countries and to determine whether this created more positive or negative effects.

“We are learning and researching what globalization is and how it affects the world,” said Erica (G8). “I personally thought it was interesting that I now can apply my knowledge of globalization to real life,” said Erica (G8). “After learning about globalization, I now can see the importance of effects that I couldn't have seen before. For example, when looking at Starbucks expansion in India, I now can see that it created more jobs for Indians but has affected their tea culture.”

From their research, the students developed a thesis and are now writing a persuasive essay, in which they have to back up each claim with two pieces of evidence. They also need to find a counterargument to each claim, which they need to refute.

“I find this unit interesting because it shows how accessible and widespread everything is now compared to how it was in the past,” said Rinnah (G8), who is researching the effects of the expansion of H&M into India and the empowerment on women.

“I find it interesting how much a single company can affect an entire country,” said Thao (G8), who is exploring how K-Pop’s growth in western mainstream media has affected Korea. “I am excited to see what other impacts of globalization exist.”