Social Studies Curriculum

Area Studies Electives

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Adopted January 1999

Pacific Rim Studies

Course Description:

Pacific Rim Studies will focus on the physical geography and diverse cultural elements found within the Pacific Rim Region.  Major countries surrounding and within the Pacific Region will be the focus of study in this course.  An analysis of the relationships among Pacific Rim cultures and nations will also be conducted to examine the impact of the region on the world today. 

The course title and description have been approved by the Anchorage School Board.  This course outline is meant to serve as an example of one possibility for organizing this class.  It does not represent the only way the course may be organized.  Each course outline has been written by a different teacher so there will be differences in the approach used from one course to another.

Course Goals:

Through this course students will:

• Use the five themes of geography to study the area as a whole and each country considered.
• Understand that trade is essential to the growth and development of the Pacific Rim countries and how Alaska’s economy is tied to their economies.
• Understand the role the European explorers and countries played in the Pacific region and the results of their involvement.
• Explore the history and culture of at least five Pacific Rim countries, excluding the United States.
• Understand the types of governments which rule in the Pacific Rim countries.
• Understand current issues which face the countries of the Pacific Rim.
  

Course Objectives:

The student will:

• Identify a minimum of 15 countries on a blank map which are considered on or within the Pacific Rim.
• Use geological terms to explain the volcanic and earthquake activity which is commonly found around the Pacific Rim.
• Use topographical maps to identify important mountain ranges, rivers, plateaus, and harbors for each country studied.
• Use the information gathered on the important geographical elements to explain population concentration and farming and industrial development.
• Identify the capital and major cities and other locations of the countries studied.
• Identify European explorers, their routes, and their importance to the area (i.e.. Cook, Magellan, Cortez, Bering).
• Explain why countries trade and the difference between free trade and restricted trade.
• Identify the major trading partners in the Pacific Rim and the goods and services they exchange.
• Use research data from the Alaska Department of Commerce or other sources to illustrate the importance of the Pacific Rim to the economy of Alaska.
• Research and describe the advantages and disadvantages of the U. S. trade policy with China.
• Research one aspect of a country and then present the findings to the class.
• Develop a historical time line for each country and compare it to the development of other countries studied.
• Research and report on one news article each week which relates to the Pacific Rim.
• Use map and globe skills to find information pertinent to the Pacific Rim.
  

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to the Pacific Rim
   1. Definition of the Pacific Rim
   2. Identification of countries which surround the Pacific Ocean.
   3. Overview of the people who live in the area and their diverse cultures.
2. History of early European Explorers and Colonization
   1. Explorers
      1. Magellan
      2. Cortez
      3. Pizzarro
      4. Bering
      5. Cook
   2. Colonization
      1. Britain & Portugal in China
      2. Open Door Policy
      3. Spain in Latin America
3. Study of individual countries (each country may follow same format)
   1. Physical and cultural geography
      1. Location
      2. Place characteristics (physical and cultural)
      3. Human/environment relationships
      4. Movement (physical and cultural)
      5. Regions (physical and cultural)
   2. People
      1. Homogeneous/heterogeneous
      2. Standard of living
      3. Education
      4. Religion
      5. Health and life expectancy
   3. Economy and Trade
      1. GDP
      2. Currency
      3. Natural resources
      4. Industry
      5. Farming
      6. Trading partners
      7. Type of economic system the country has
   4. Government
      1. Type
      2. Head of State
      3. Prime Minister if applies
      4. Political party system
      5. Role of military
   5. Culture
      1. Language
      2. Art/music
      3. Distinct traditions
      4. School system
   6. History
      1. Early history
      2. Major historical events
4. Study of current issues related to the Pacific Rim

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