These examples illustrate how an interesting story may lead to a topic.
The Euro
On January 1, 1999, the European Union made history by implementing
the largest monetary changeover the world has ever seen. On that
day, eleven of the countries in the European Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU) adopted a new, single currency called the Euro. The
Euro was a “cashless” currency when it was first introduced,
meaning that it was only used for cashless transactions, such
as electronic banking and stock market transactions. Actual Euro
bills and coins officially went into circulation on January 1,
2002. The original eleven countries that adopted the Euro were
Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. By unifying, these countries
became a stronger economic and political power in the world. A
single currency has also allowed people, services, and goods to
move freely from country to country without the inconvenience
of currency exchange.
Thinking Questions: What benefits and challenges come with this monetary
unification? Are there other historical currency shifts that have
had a similar impact? How is monetary policy a tool of governance?
Other Possible Categories: Business & Industry, Social Sciences & Culture
The G8 Summit
Since 1975, leaders of the major industrial countries meet annually
to address the economic and political challenges facing their
countries and the world as a whole. Known as the G8, or group
of eight, the members include France, United Kingdom, United States,
Canada, Japan, Germany, Russia, and Italy. Representatives from
other countries are frequently invited to attend as well. The
summit lasts less than a week and consists of concurrent meetings
among the leaders of the eight nations, their staffs and other
international officials. The 2005 G8 summit, held in Perthshire,
Scotland, focused on the issues of global warming and poverty
in Africa. Critics assert that a few days are inadequate to address
such major problems and that members of the G8 are themselves
the chief cause of many of the ills they seek to address. For
example, global warming results disproportionately from the burning
of fossil fuels and massive carbon dioxide emissions in these
eight nations. Similarly, critics charge that Africa is struggling
economically because of unfair trade practices on the part of
the G8 and other developed nations, as well as insupportable debt
owed to them.
Thinking Questions: If you had eight powerful leaders’ attention
for one week, how would you use it to solve our greatest problems?
As globalization and technology make the world a smaller place,
should government change? What role can individuals and groups
of citizens play in effecting change on the world stage?
Other Possible Categories: Business & Industry, Health
& Safety, Social Sciences & Culture
California Missions
Between 1769 and 1798, Spanish colonialists established
a chain of 21 churches along what is now California’s coastline.
Known as the “California missions”, these European
settlements were organized to be one day’s walk apart and
a road called El Camino Real (“The Royal Highway”)
was built to connect them. Spain’s motivation to create
these permanent settlements was both political and religious.
King Carlos III wanted to claim the area before the Russian and
English colonialists. The missions were also used to convert the
Native Americans to Christianity and the Spanish way of life.
Besides new values and a new language, the Spanish colonies introduced
non-native livestock, fruits and flowers to California.
Thinking Questions: What impact does colonization
have on indigenous peoples? What results from the blending of
colonial and native cultures? Is colonization a viable strategy
for a 21st century governments?
Other Possible Categories: Social Sciences & Culture; Philosophy, Religion & Mythology
Citations:
- California Missions. BGe Internet
Services. 9 Mar. 2004 <http://missions.bgmm.com/>
- Malloy, Betsy. “California Missions.” About.com. 9 Mar. 2004 <http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/missioncalifornia/a/missionhistory.htm>.
- “Chronology of California Mission History.”
Home page. California Missions Foundation. 9 Mar. 2004 <http://missionsofcalifornia.org/missions/history.html>.
- “Background to the euro.” The
Euro. European Central Bank. 6 Aug. 2004
<http://www.euro.ecb.int/en/what/history.html>.
- Curtis, Ed. “Der Euro Kommt.” Spartan Deutsch. Corvallis High School. 20 Aug. 2004
<http://www2.corvallis.k12.or.us/chs/staff/curtise/ der_euro_kommt.htm>.
- “What is the G8?” G8 Information
Centre. 2005 University of Toronto. 14 Jul. 2005.
<http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/what_is_g8.html>.
- “G8.” Wikipedia. 14 Jul.
2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G8>.
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