The United Nations: An Introduction

This is the United Nations flag. Adopted in 1947, 
it features a map of the world centered on the North Pole. 
The olive branches surrounding the globe symbolize peace.

You've done it! Your work as a trade representative has impressed enough people that you've been named as an ambassador to the United Nations.


Over the next seven days, you will work with a partner to learn about the organization you will be working with, as well as a specific country you will represent.


You and your partner will work together to find out specific information about the UN. You will:

1. Locate and record information related to one of the topics below.
2. Present your information to other country ambassadors in a roundtable discussion.

PART 1: BACKGROUND (30 points)

Your Sources:

• "Background of the United Nations," a document produced by the UN for students (recommended starting point)
• The UN: An Introduction for Students
• UN At a Glance (from the UN official website)
• The search page on the UN website
• The UN Structure and Organization page

Complete the questions for your assigned topic on loose leaf paper.

Topic 1: Basic Facts and the Creation of the U.N. (30 points)

1. What is the mission of the U.N.?
2. To accomplish its mission, what do member countries agree to do?
3. What was one of the earlier attempts to create an institution to promote international cooperation?
4. Describe the two flaws this institution suffered from and explain how these ultimately led to its failure.
5. Discuss some of the main events of World War II. How did these experiences rekindle the idea of establishing a world organization dedicated to world peace and international cooperation?
6. How did the founders of the United Nations try to avoid the failures of the League of Nations? Explain how these actions would avoid the problems encountered by the League.

Topic 2: The Structure and Operation of the U.N. (30 points)

1. Identify and briefly describe the function of the six bodies of the United Nations.
2. Identify the legislative, executive, and judicial operations contained in these bodies.
3. Explain the different ways the United Nations operates on democratic principles such as rule of law, due process, separation of powers, and majority rule.
4. Why can it be said that the Security Council does not operate as a democracy?
5. What kind of occupational skills would someone need to be a staff member or a diplomat at the U.N.?
6. Explain how each of the six bodies helps the U.N. achieve its mission.

Topic 3: Accomplishments of the U.N. (30 points)

1. List the four areas of accomplishment described in the reading on the U.N.
2. Describe the different types of military action the U.N. has taken in its history.
3. Explain how this use of military action is in keeping with the U.N.’s mission and goals?
4. What efforts has the U.N. made in protecting human rights? In what ways has the U.N. extended these efforts in the other areas of accomplishment described in the reading?
5. Describe the areas where the U.N. has made improvements in the health of people in the world. Why has the end of the Cold War made it easier for this to happen?
6. Describe how the U.N.’s Development Program has provided both economic/agricultural assistance and promoted workers’ rights in countries it has worked in. Why has this agency been successful in gaining the trust of developing countries?

Should we trade?

US Trade Representative Ron Kirk meets with an
ambassador from India.

Part 1: A Meeting
Review your research with your partners.

• Create a T-chart in your notebook. Label the left side reasons for. Label the right side reasons against.
• Take turns sharing your research with your partners. Every time one of your partners says something that  falls on either side of your chart, add it on.
• When all information has been shared, write 2-3 questions that still need to be answered in order for your group to make its decision.

Part 2: Statement of Opinion (A Thesis! Hooray!) (32 points)

Now that you've completed your initial research, you will create the first firm statement of your opinion. This is still not yet written in stone -- it could change based on what your partners say. Ultimately, your group will share one thesis.

Essentially, you are completing this sentence:

"The United States should/should not open trade negotiations with ____________________ because _________________, _____________________ and ____________________."

You may change the wording/format of this statement as long as it includes the basic information given.

We'll use this rubric to grade your theses.

Part 3: Working on the Final Product
You must persuade the government to agree with your argument. In order to do so, you will create a position paper which adheres to the following criteria:

• Save your work to the Y:\Ramin World Geography folder in the correct location for your class
• Name the file "Your Country - Trade Recommendation"
• Include the each group member's name, as well as the complete PSM heading, at the start of your document
• Title your paper
• At least 5 paragraphs in length (Intro, 3 Body, Conclusion)
• Includes a thesis statement modeled after the one above
• Persuasively argues your position
• Includes a 5-source Work Cited page (graded based on this rubric), following MLA format (you should have most of your citations already!)

Your rough draft is due e-mailed to me at the end of tomorrow's class period (5/1/12). It is a project grade, and will be based on this rubric (the same one that will be used for your final product -- Due Friday, 5/4/12).

Each person will also receive an individual project grade for his/her specific body paragraph based on this rubric.

Who does what?

• Each person should research and write one body paragraph
• The group should work together to draft the introduction paragraph today and the conclusion paragraph tomorrow
• The group should work together to compile the Works Cited page

Tomorrow's Expectations:

• Finalize rough draft, including conclusion paragraph
• Analyze presentation requirements for Friday's class

Trade Representative to East Asia

Part 1: Re-Introduction

Today you will start working as a U.S. Trade Representative to one specific country. Here are the documents we've looked at already:

• The letter from Dr. Mitchell Ness, the Senior U.S. Trade Representative
• President Obama's editorial

Part 2: Problem Statement

We worked together as a class to create a problem statement for this project. Here is the combined problem statement for periods 1, 3 and 6:

"How can we, as new U.S. trade representatives, decide if our country should trade with specific areas of Southeast Asia and make a recommendation so that we can start our careers off well and help our country build meaningful trade relations?"

Part 3: A Return to the Knowledge Inventory
Open your notes to the knowledge inventory you did for Dr. Ness's letter.

You've been assigned a specific country to focus on. Add at least 3 points to each side of your Know/Needs chart based on this specific country.

Part 4: Initial Country Research
Find your country's profile on the CIA World Factbook. Read through the file's introductory page.

Add at least 3 points to each side of your Know/Needs chart.

Part 5: Trade Recommendation Log #1: Initial Reaction (20 points, due at the end of the period)
On a sheet of loose leaf paper, answer the following question. This should be approximately a paragraph in length (5 sentences = 1 intro, 3 supporting details, 1 conclusion) and is worth 20 points (as shown in this rubric). You are working on this part ALONE.

"As a U.S. Trade Representative to _________________, what is your initial reaction? Should the U.S. enter into a trade agreement with your assigned country? What additional information must you find out in order to make your final recommendation?"

Part 6: Trade Group Discussion (8 points, due at the end of the period)
Share your TR Log #1 with your group members. Draw a line below TR Log #1, then use the space to answer the questions below (2 points each, 8 points total):

1. What additional information did my team members discover?
2. What additional information do we need to make an informed decision?
3. What is my team's initial recommendation to the Executive Office of the President?
4. What 3-4 specific topics must we research in order to make an effective recommendation?

Part 7: Large Group Discussion

We will decide as a class what topics we should research. Think -- what would you want to know if you were going to trade lunches with a friend?

Part 8: In-Depth Research (20 points, due Monday, 4/30/12)

Now that your group has an idea of what it should be doing, you must become more informed about your destination.

Assign a research topic to each person in your group. Use the following sources to do the following:

• Effectively cite your source using MLA format
• Produce a minimum of 1 page (typed or handwritten) of notes on your assigned research topic

Your research is worth 20 points, and will be graded based on this rubric.

The following are all sources you may use to complete this portion of the assignment:

• The CIA World Factbook
• Gale Student Resources in Context (PSMLRC)
• The official website for the World Trade Organization (WTO)
• The official website for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
• The U.S. State Department website for East Asia

Part 9: Statement of Opinion (A Thesis! Hooray!) (32 points)

Now that you've completed your initial research, you will create the first firm statement of your opinion. This is still not yet written in stone -- it could change based on what your partners say. Ultimately, your group will share one thesis.

Essentially, you are completing this sentence:

"The United States should/should not open trade negotiations with ____________________ because _________________, _____________________ and ____________________."

You may change the wording/format of this statement as long as it includes the basic information given.

We'll use this rubric to grade your theses.

Angkor What? Angkor Wat!

Angkor Wat, just outside of Siem Reap, Cambodia...
and steps from the Jay Pritzker Academy.

Today,we will analyze images of the Angkor Wat in Cambodia. By analyzing these images, you will be able to better understand the ancient Khmer Kingdom and modern Cambodian culture. This activity will also help you to understand the things you would need to analyze as a US Trade Representative to SE Asia.

This is a 30 point homework assignment.

Part 1: Images of Angkor Wat (2 points each, 10 points total)
First, take a look at a website containing images of Angkor Wat.

Once you have opened this link, browse through the topics on the left hand side of the page and choose one of the topics listed. You will be able to see several images, and many of the links also have a brief description of the specific temple you are viewing.

Think about Cambodian culture as you look through the images of Khmer sculpture and architecture. Think about what you have learned throughout this course about culture as well as what you have learned about Southeast Asia. Answer the following questions on loose leaf paper.

1. What does this image tell you about the Khmer?
2. Why do you think they made this sculpture/structure?
3. What is the significance of Angkor Wat?
4. What does the size and complexity of the complex say about the Khmer Empire?
5. Is Angkor Wat used in the same way today as it was when it was first built? What can this response tell us about Cambodia's history?

Part 2: Trade Representative Connection (20 points)
Put yourself back into the mindset of a US trade ambassador to Southeast Asia. How would you use what you learned today to benefit US trade and/or yourself as a trade ambassador in Cambodia? Answer this in a complete paragraph on your loose leaf. Include at least 5 sentences (Intro, 3 support, Conclusion).

This portion of the assignment is worth 20 points, and is scored based on this rubric.

You're new Trade Agents. Do some Research!

President Barack Obama meets with US Trade
Representative Ron Kirk, the head of our office.

Tonight, use one of the databases available to our office to research the following topics:

• the Office of the United States Trade Representative
• its goals in East Asia
• the kinds of tasks the office is called on to accomplish

Your databases:

• The Office of the United States Trade Representative
• Gale Student Resources in Context (login: PSMLRC)
• The New York Times

This is your first major assignment related to your trade proposal. You must:

• Effectively cite your source (MLA format)
• Prepare ~ 1 page of research on the topic above

Holistic Rubric:

• 20: Demonstrates mastery of topic
• 15: Demonstrates adequate understanding of topic
• 10 and below: Inadequate understanding of topic

China's Culture, Today and Yesterday

Keep your homework out on your desk.


Today we will take a look at modern and ancient influences on Chinese culture. You will:

• Practice using selected web sources to find information about an assigned topic
• Practice citing sources using MLA format
• Synthesize your research into a finished product
• Define relevant search terms

Open an MS Word document. You will use this document to complete today's assignment. It is due at the beginning of tomorrow's class period (stapled, if necessary). It is worth 70 points.

First, here's some terms you'll need to know for today's activities:

• meme
• westernized
• netizens

Part 1: An Introduction (30 points)
Watch the introduction video titled "Why China's Youth Find Western Culture Attractive" on the PBS NewsHour website. Use it to answer the questions below. You have 12 minutes to complete this section of the assignment.


Cite the video using MLA format.

1.   What are some aspects of Western culture that influence Chinese citizens? (2 points)

2.   When did Western culture start to become more influential in China? (2 points)

3.   How is the government "pushing back"? Why is it doing this? (2 points)

4.   How do Western companies adapt to China's market? Give examples. (2 points)

5.   How have internet users been affected by government policy? How have "netizens" been able to affect government policy? (2 points)

Part 1: Synthesis: Follow this rubric to answer the following question:
Do you agree that Western culture has too large of an influence over young people in China? Explain your response. (20 points)


You will need at minimum a topic sentence, 3 body sentences, and a conclusion (5 sentences minimum).

Part 2: Religion and Belief (40 points)

Throughout Chinese history, three major belief systems have held more influence than any others:

• Buddhism
• Taoism
• Confucianism.

Even though other cultures are beginning to influence Chinese citizens (as you saw in the introductory video), these older customs still maintain their importance.


You will be assigned one of these belief systems. Access the Gale Student Resources in Context database through the PSM LRC page (password: psmlrc). Use the information you find in the database to answer the following:

Cite the source you use for your answers using MLA format.

1. What are the basic principles of your assigned belief system? (2 points)
2. Who is the founder/primary figure in your belief system? (2 points)
3. What is the major written work of your belief system? (2 points)
4. Approximately when did your belief system begin? (2 points)
5. Is your belief system also a religion? Explain. (2 points) 
6. Describe any symbols associated with your belief system. (2 points)  
7. What do people who follow your belief system believe? Include specifics. (4 points)
8. Describe any major rituals/practices of people who adhere to your belief system. (4 points)

Part 2: Synthesis (20 points): Follow this rubric to answer the following question:
Describe how your life would change if you followed your assigned belief system. Use specific information from your research in your response.

You will need at minimum a topic sentence, 3 body sentences, and a conclusion (5 sentences minimum). NOTE: If you need more than one paragraph to fulfill the rubric's requirements, write more than one paragraph!

****

Part 3: Pair and Share (10 points per column, 20 points total)

Create a 2-column chart in your Word document. Label the top of each column with the name of the two belief systems you did not research.

Work with your two neighbors (one for each of the belief systems you did not research) to fill out the table including a summary of their responses to the questions in Part 2.

World Geography Homework

For homework tonight, Read Ch. 27.2. Answer the following questions on loose leaf paper (2 points each, 8 points total):

1. What is a typhoon? What does the name mean?
2. Describe the potential effects of a typhoon.
3. Based on the information in the text, draw a typhoon.
4. How might people in areas affected by typhoons prepare themselves?