Geopolitics and Speculative Map Making: What Would the World Look Like If ...

Speculative geopolitics is an academic and creative exercise which allows learners to consider how world events might affect and change the world map including, for example, new borders, alliances, enemies and territorial disputes.  If China were to control all the cobalt mines, and therefore all access to new technologies, how would world alliances and borders shift?  Imagine that global warming events make the southern portion of the United States uninhabitable, how might it affect the entire globe as climate refugees increase migration patterns and new geopolitical power struggles evolve?  These are examples of the scenarios which might be explored each week.  

As learners use their knowledge of world events and geography and their critical thinking skills to consider the ramifications of events based upon political alliances and geopolitics, they will develop a broader understanding of the global power relationships.  Learners can consider together and discuss as they go, seeking feedback for potential ramifications as they recreate the world each week based on geopolitical speculation.  

Event scenarios will be provided at the start of each class by the teacher and a list of potential global events that students are interested in will be kept and rotated through by the teacher.   A social and supportive environment for learners to imagine how the world may look in 10 or 20 years from now based on hypothetical events will ensure that this is a fun and educational experience each week.