Geographic Inquiry into Global Issues (GIGI)
Original Edition: 1995 by A. David Hill, James M. Dunn and Phil Klein
Copyright: 1992 The Regents of the University of Colorado
Geographic Inquiry into Global Issues was developed at the Center for Geography Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The National Science Foundation provided the funds, with A. David Hill as the Project Director. The modules were drafted by teachers and scholars and then tested in classrooms throughout the United States. In the original publication, teachers received a classroom set of Student Data Books and one binder that contained the Teacher's Guide and supporting materials. Professor Hill recently secured permission to distribute the modules free of charge to anyone who can use them for educational purposes. Staff members at the University of Northern Colorado scanned every module and map and created PDF files that were later compressed to reduce the file size. Special thanks go to Amanda Livingston who worked tirelessly to scan thousands of pages, Elizabeth Buller, and Kristen Kanoff for helping to make this possible.
NSF Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ESI 9050204. The Government has certain rights in this material. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Note to Users: These modules were written in the early 1990s. In most cases, the data are no longer current. In some cases, the questions are no longer relevant. The modules, for the most part, still have relevance by asking perennial questions, and clearly demonstrate a geographer's approach to inquiry. You may increase the utility of the materials by having students find new data for the lessons. Finding data now is much easier than it was in the 1990s.
Permission for Use: You may use these modules for educational purposes free of charge. You may not republish them for any reason. You may not use them for commercial gain.
File Size Caution: Each file is a PDF that includes the Student Data Book, the Teacher's Guide, all activity masters, overheads, and answer keys. The original documents were scanned and compressed, but the files are still in the 15mb-20mb range. High speed download times are roughly 5-10 minutes per module, but slower connection speeds may require more time.
Missing Components: The modules were originally accompanied by a CD ROM and a User's Manual, and optionally, a set of video discs. None of these elements are available.
Geographic Inquiry into Global Issues Modules
Overview on Geographic Inquiry (This document is also found in each file.)
Modules: There are 20 modules with primary case studies in 10 world regions. Each document contains all student and teacher materials needed to teach the lessons in the module. The organization of the modules is as follows:
Issues: Leading Question
Primary Case Study Location (comparison case study locations) Map Set (these special maps are used in the lessons)
Population and Resources: How does population growth affect resource availability?
Bangladesh (Haiti) Map Set
Religious Conflict: Where do religious differences contribute to conflict?
Kashmir (Northern Ireland) Map Set
Sustainable Agriculture: How can the world achieve sustainable agriculture?
Malaysia (Cameroon, and Western United States) Map Set
Human Rights: How is freedom of movement a basic human right?
Cambodia (Cuba and the United States) Map Set
Global Economy: How does trade shape the global economy?
Japan (Colombia and the United States) Map Set
Natural Hazards: Why the effects of natural hazards vary from place to place?
Japan (Bangladesh and the United States) Map Set
Diversity and Nationalism: How do nations cope with cultural diversity?
Russia (Brazil and the United States) Map Set
Environmental Pollution: What are the effects of severe environmental pollution?
Aral Sea (Madagascar and the United States) Map Set
Population Growth: How is population growth to be managed?
China (United States) Map Set
Political Change: How does political change affect peoples and places?
Hong Kong (South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada) Map Set
Global Climate Change: What could happen if global warming occurs?
Australia and New Zealand (Developing Countries, U.S. Gulf Coast) Map Set
Interdependence: What are the causes and effects of global interdependence?
Australia (Falkland Islands, United States) Map Set
North Africa/Southwest Asia
Oil and Society: How have oil riches changed nations?
Saudi Arabia (Venezuela, Alaska) Map Set
Hunger: Why are people hungry?
Sudan (India, Canada) Map Set
Africa—South of the Sahara
Building New Nations: How are nation-states built?
Nigeria (South Africa, Canada) Map Set
Infant and Child Mortality: Why do so many children suffer from poor health?
Central Africa (United States) (No Map Set)
Urban Growth: What are the causes and effects of rapid urbanization and urban growth?
Mexico (United States) Map Set
Development: How does development affect peoples and places?
Amazonia (Eastern Europe, U.S. Tennessee Valley) Map Set
Regional Integration: What are the advantages of and barriers to regional integration?
Europe (United States, Mexico, Canada) Map Set
Waste Management: Why is waste management both a local and global concern?
Western Europe (Japan, United States) Map Set