Context

Globalization is a multidimensional concept that involves an intensification of international relations in various spheres, such as the economic, cultural, and political. This phenomenon is characterized by the connection and interdependence among different countries in the world, encouraged by technological advances that facilitate the communication and circulation of people, information, ideas, and products.

Globalization has historical roots, but its intensification occurred mainly in the 20th century, with the advancement of communication technology and transportation. This allowed companies and individuals to have a much broader reach, promoting an interconnection between nations. Consequently, the borders between countries became less relevant, creating a scenario of global integration.

The scenario of globalization is not homogeneous and presents various facets. The characteristics of globalization involve economic aspects, such as international trade, multinational corporations, and market liberalization; social aspects, such as population mobility and the diffusion of a global lifestyle; political aspects, such as the formation of economic blocs and the role of international organizations; and cultural aspects, such as the expansion of Western culture and processes of acculturation.

Importance

Globalization is a fundamental theme in Geography because it allows for a deeper understanding of how the world is currently organized and how different localities are connected. Furthermore, through the study of globalization, we can better understand the tensions and conflicts present in the contemporary world, as well as their causes and consequences.

In the current context, where we live in an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the phenomenon of globalization is essential to comprehend our own role in the world. More and more, our actions and decisions have global impacts. Whether in choosing a product, which may have been produced in another country, or in using social networks that connect people around the world, we are involved in a global dynamic.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Globalization in Action: From Corporations to Global Tensions

Project Objective

Students should understand globalization from a practical approach, analyzing the performance of a multinational corporation, its influences on consumption, culture, work, and mobility in Brazil and the African continent. Additionally, they should identify the motivations for tensions and conflicts in the African territory and the interconnections of these events with globalization processes.

Detailed Project Description

Each group of students (3 to 5 members) should choose a multinational corporation that operates in Brazil and Africa. The project will last approximately two months, divided into four thematic stages:

1. Multinational Study: Students should study the corporation's history, its growth into a global company, the products or services it offers, and where and how it operates in Brazil and Africa.

2. Influence on Consumption and Culture: Students should investigate how the corporation affects consumption and culture in both Brazil and Africa. They can compare the company's advertising in both contexts, observing how products are presented and marketed.

3. Impact on Work and Mobility: Here, students should analyze how the corporation's presence affects the labor market and people's mobility. They can consider aspects such as job creation, working conditions, changes in urban space usage, among others.

4. Tensions and Conflicts: Finally, the groups should investigate whether the corporation's performance is associated with local tensions or conflicts in Africa. They should explain the motivations behind these conflicts and how they are related to globalization.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research;
• Materials for slide or poster production (optional);
• Material for video recording (cell phones, cameras) (optional).

Step-by-Step Guide for Activity Execution

1. Choosing the Corporation: The group should choose a multinational corporation for the study. They should consider the company's presence in Brazil and Africa.

2. Research and Data Collection: During the research, students should seek answers to the questions raised in each stage of the project. They should use various sources, including news websites, organization reports, scientific articles, among others.

3. Report Production: The group should produce a detailed report, following the indicated structure: Introduction, Development (with the four project stages), Conclusions, and Bibliography.

4. Project Presentation: Each group should present the results of their research to the class. They can choose various formats, such as slide presentations, video production, poster creation, among others.

Project Deliverables

• Written Report: The report should have well-defined sections for Introduction, Development (with the four stages), Conclusions, and Bibliography. Students should be clear in their arguments and analyses, showing evidence of their conclusions based on the collected data.

• Presentation: The presentation, whether in slides, video, or another chosen format, should be clear and interesting, reflecting the students' effort and understanding of the topic.

Report and Written Document

The written document should be in a report format, containing the following sections:

1. Introduction: Provide context on the globalization theme and the relevance of the chosen corporation. Indicate the project's objective and its real-world application.

2. Development: Here, the theory on globalization and the corporation study should be explained. The activity should be detailed, including the methodology used and the results obtained. This section should be divided into the four project stages.

3. Conclusion: Summarize the main points, explaining the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about globalization and the corporation's performance.

4. Bibliography: List the sources used to work on the project, including books, web pages, videos, among others.

It is expected that by the end of the project, students will have acquired technical skills in analyzing globalization and its effects on the economy, culture, work, and conflicts. Additionally, they will have acquired socio-emotional skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, and proactivity.