Active Learning Consultants, Richard Bernato Ed.D.

Active Learning Consultants offers a series of experiential publications that embrace our core belief; that none of us is as smart as all of us, unless we are smart together.

This reflect Confucius' saying that " I do, and I understand."

Classroom simulations / experiential learning strategies like Cutthroat, Ups And Downs, International Cutthroat, Which Way USA?, and Decision - Iraq, a simulation of President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq, are a growing collection of publications ALC offers schools. Below, find a sample of the Teacher's Guide to INTERNATIONAL CUTTHROAT

INTERNATIONAL CUTTHROAT

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

Has anyone in your family lost her job because her company could not compete with foreign companies? Check the labels in your clothes. Are they made in the United States or in a foreign country? Do your parents drive foreign cars? Is the gasoline in your car imported? Is your CD player made in the United States?

Like it or not we are victims and benefactors of what is commonly called a global economy. This means that countries buy and trade with each other, sometimes fairly, sometimes unfairly. This fact has many consequences on our every day living and on our country’s economy.

OVERVIEW

INTERNATIONAL CUTTHROAT will simulate a simpler world, so that you will,

identify the kinds of resources and manufactured items a country needs to prosper;

recognize how and why countries make trade policies;

develop trade strategies that benefit your country;

evaluate how international trade policies and agreements impact the global economy.

National Council of Social Studies Standards:

III. People, Places, Environment: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places, and environments.

VI. Power, Authority, and Governance : Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power, authority, and governance.

IX. Global Connections : Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of global connections and interdependence.

HERE’S HOW

Your teacher will place you in one of the only 5 countries in our "world.

THE NORTH AMERICAN CONFEDERACY (TWC)

THE PACIFIC RIM ( TPR)

THE THIRD WORLD FEDERATION (TWF)

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY ( EEC)

THE ORGANIZATION OF REFORMED SOVIETS (ORS)

You will learn more about each of these countries and what they need later. Each of these countries must both complete and cooperate with each other for their own and for the world’s economic prosperity.

After your teacher has placed you in a group and you have selected a Prime Minister, you take part in as many as 3 phases of INTERNATIONAL CUTTHROAT .

Phase I , Survival of the Fittest , will have you compete to negotiate trade agreements with countries and negotiate trade agreements with other countries for resources and goods your country needs. For example, the ORS will be anxious to sell its oil to the NAC, but so will the TWF! Both the TWF and the ORS would like the NAC's technological materials.

Phase II , Trade Wars , will be a segment where your country might decide to pass tariffs or other trade policies for and against other nations. For example, the TPR might pass a high tariff against the EEC's automobiles to stop their importation into their country. This could lead to the EECbanning the TPR's goods from their shores.

Phase III , Global Conference , which will simulate an international trade conference where you will gather to create a system of agreements to help the global economy.

Teacher's Guide, Student Guide, Background Information, Handouts, Debriefing materials, all included in packet.

Extra Links: National Council of Social Studies | Social Studies School Services | Abt Associates

For more information, contact us at richber1@optonline.net