Background reading on global themes

Part of becoming a global language teacher involves background reading in such topic areas as 20th century history, social issues and globalization. The following books can help teachers deepen their understanding of these topics so that they can teach about them more effectively.

Introducing Global Issues

Edited by Michael & D. Neil Snarr (1998)

Boulder, US/London, UK: Lynne Rienner [ISBN 1-55587-595-5]

This American college text gives an overview of today's most pressing global issues. The book is divided into 4 sections with essays on four specific areas: I Conflict and Security (weapons proliferation, human rights, peace-keeping, nationalism), II The Global Economy (international trade, global poverty), III Development (population, migration, women, children, health), IV The Environment (atmospheric pollution, conflict over natural resources, sustainable development, the Earth summit). A good overview of global issues.

The Japan We Never Knew: A Journey of Discovery

by David Suzuki (1998)

Toronto: Stoddart [ISBN 0-7737-5921-2]

This inspiring book follows the 1995 journey of Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki and Japanese anthropologist Keibo Oiwa as they travel through Japan interviewing key Japanese people active in the struggle for peace, human rights and the environment. Its 3 parts: (1) War and Peace (peace activists, Hiroshima hibakusha,); (2) Japan's Diversity (minority rights activists: Ainu, Okinawans, Koreans, Burakumin, women, Japanese-Peruvians); (3) Nature (anti-pollution activists, Minamata sufferers, green politicians).

Chronicle of the 20th Century: The Ultimate Record of our Times

by David Suzuki (1998)

New York: Dorling Kindersley [ISBN 0-7894-0332-3]

This 1,500-page reference book provides a comprehensive month by month record of the major events of the 20th century. 5,000 articles and 3,000 photos capture the news of the past 100 years in headline "as-it-happens" style. Each page features the top news stories for one month. Great for student research assignments: Find the Answer (Who was killed in June 1914?), Summarize (What were the main events of May 1968?), Past Continuous Tense (What was happening in the world on the month you were born?)

Globalization

by Malcolm Waters (1996)

New York/London: Routledge [ISBN 0-415-10576-5]

Globalization has become the buzzword of the '90s in business, journalism and politics. This book takes an academic look at globalization, summarizes the main sociolo-gical theories, describes the rise of globaliza-tion in history, and focusses on three types of globalization: economic globalization (world trade, multinational corporations, migrant labor, global finance), political globalization (nation states, global issues, international organizations), and cultural globalization (global media, travel, pop culture, religion).

The Privacy Rights Handbook: How to Take Control of Personal Info

by Beth Givens (1997)

New York: Avon Books [ISBN 0-380-78684-2]

This book, with a foreword by consumer activist Ralph Nader, describes the threat to our privacy from "big brother" corporations and governments, and shows you how to fight back. Its 5 parts cover: Invasive Commerce (junk mail, telemarketing), Personal Records (credit reports, medical info, government records), Communication (harassing phone calls, wire-tapping, computer privacy, cell phone theft), Privacy at Work (employee monitoring), Personal Safety (identity theft, stalking) and a section What You Can Do.

Junior Chronicle of the 20th Century: A Month by Month History of Our Century

by Beth Givens (1997)

New York: Dorling Kindersley [ISBN 0-7894-2033-3]

This attractive 335-page encyclopedia for young people, an abridged version of the Chronicle of the 20th Century at left, features 1,700 articles and 3,500 photos on people, places, discoveries and pop culture linked to major world events from 1900 to 1996. An appendix profiles key people of the 20th century (world leaders, movie stars, scientists, athletes) while full-page spreads explain topics such as WWI, the Russian Revolution, the Depression, WWII, the Cold War, feminism, apartheid and the environment.

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