Geography

The Kumari, a flesh-and-blood goddess, is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal as a protector of the land and defender of all living beings. This program traces the mythological underpinnings of the Kumari and presents the living tradition of Kumari worship, including the Kumari selection, the secret preparation rituals, and Kumari-related festivals and ceremonies. It also discusses the relationship between the Kumari and the king. (53 minutes)

A growing number of environmentalists, ethicists, and economists believe that the needs of the have-nots" will one day become too powerful to ignore. This program highlights that viewpoint, illustrating vast disparities between the living standards of developed and underdeveloped nations and questioning the wisdom of looking the other way. Deconstructing conventional economic notions of production and consumption, the film examines the role of Western corporations in environmental problems-such as deforestation, destructive mining, and land mine infestation in Africa, Asia, and South America. These problems are linked to global economic issues, such as lack of access to capital markets and dependence on foreign aid. (53 minutes)"

As globalization gains momentum, industrialized and developing countries are, to a greater or lesser extent, becoming increasingly similar, with middle-class luxury and abject poverty coexisting side by side. This program explores the repercussions of globalization as well as a growing resentment toward the G8 countries and nongovernmental organizations. Concerns over third-world debt, environmental degradation, biodiversity, the concentration of power, and the future of democracy are aired by globally oriented young adults who are poised to inherit a world without borders...or rules. (26 minutes)

Since World War II, suburbia has taken over broad sections of America, squeezing out Main Street USA in favor of cookie-cutter subdivisions, shopping centers, and business parks. Is the New Urbanism-in which the needs of people, not cars, come first-the antidote for suburban sprawl? In this program, ABC News anchor Forrest Sawyer and correspondent Michel McQueen report on the housing paradigm called traditional neighborhood developments" with architect and town planner Andres Duany, known as the Pied Piper of New Urbanism and creator of communities such as Kentlands, Maryland, and Seaside, Florida. (22 minutes)"

Comprising approximately 2 billion acres spread over six time zones, the United States is a living geography laboratory. Introduce students to America's seven geographic regions with this three-part series so they can better comprehend how topography, climate, and natural resources have shaped the nation's history and economy. A Discovery Channel Production. 3-part series, 60-91 minutes each.

Poverty in Africa reminds us that abundant natural resources don't automatically translate into widespread economic wealth. This program brings home the disturbing reality of daily life in Angola-marked by ramshackle houses, open sewers, and a question that grows louder every day: who benefits from the country's vast oil resources? Outlining the nation's colonial and Cold War traumas, the film examines the civil war between MPLA and UNITA forces and the present-day mismanagement of oil revenues stemming from that conflict. Related topics include China's growing role in the country, the tragedy of child hunger and malnutrition, and Angola's widespread problem of land mine injuries. (Portions in other languages with English subtitles, 25 minutes)

Spark classroom discussion about gender roles and evolving definitions of family with this program on worldwide birthrates. Examining trends in Denmark, Japan, South Korea, and other countries, the video uses data-mapping of childbirth statistics to construct a global picture of cultural conventions and expectations. How adults in different areas of the world view parenthood-whether or not both parents should work, whether or not to have more than one child, or whether to even give birth at all-creates an eye-opening picture of the health of these societies and their economic priorities. This is an ideal visual tool for global studies with a sociological focus. (31 minutes)

Competition for freshwater is heating up. Is war inevitable, or is a peaceful solution possible? This program spotlights three trouble spots that epitomize the intensifying crisis and efforts being made to manage it: the Okavango, where a commission formed by Angola, Namibia, and Botswana is trying to resolve the conflict that is endangering the river's unspoiled waters; the Rio Grande, where an aging water-sharing treaty and ever-greater demands for water leave farmers on both sides of the divide with little hope; and the West Bank, where Palestinian rainwater reservoirs and the Israeli water grid are dangerous points of contention between the two peoples. (27 minutes)

Swept to power in 2006 on a wave of social unrest, Bolivian President Evo Morales has vowed to shift the balance of power in favor of his poorest constituents. This program examines the wealth generated from Bolivia's natural resources-precious metals in particular-and highlights Morales' efforts to redirect revenues away from what he sees as neoliberal interests. Noting Morales' indigenous heritage, the film explores the meanings behind his motto Partners not Masters" and his views on the influence of multinational corporations. It also reveals an ongoing struggle for equality among laborers at the Potosi silver mine, where male workers often die young-leaving widows and children to subsist in refuse. (Portions in Spanish with English subtitles, 25 minutes)"

The United States continues to be the wealthiest country in the world, yet one in eight Americans-approximately 37 million people-live below the poverty line. This program analytically and sympathetically discusses the effects and implications of poverty, examining factors such as illiteracy, insufficient job skills, substance abuse, and crime. The phenomenon of multigenerational poverty is also addressed, underscoring the disturbing pattern of poverty begetting poverty. Interviews with impoverished people and those who reach out to them put a human face on a demographic group that lives below the radar of wealthy and middle-class Americans. (60 minutes)

Scientist, cartographer, and ecological pioneer, Alexander von Humboldt set himself a vast goal: to find out how the forces of nature interact upon one another." This program follows the first two years of Humboldt and Bonpland's explorations as they charted rivers, gathered samples, and documented thousands of species of fauna and flora in Colombia, Cuba, and the Andes. Along with striking location footage, many of the expedition's original maps, manuscripts, and diverse specimens are seen in Berlin's Humboldt Museum for Natural History. (53 minutes)"

Famous for its natural beauty, Canada is underappreciated for its vibrant multiculturalism and racial diversity. This program journeys to Quebec and British Columbia to study social, economic, and cultural issues in those provinces. Conversations with local residents-including bilingual students in Montreal and three generations of Japanese fishermen in Vancouver-highlight the complexities and the rewards of the Canadian experience. A viewable/printable instructor's guide-including geographical background information, extension activities, vocabulary handouts, and more-is available online. Correlates to National Geography Standards. (25 minutes)

This program examines how urbanization, industrialization, and overreaching agriculture are depleting the Earth of its natural resources. Citing environmental changes in Morocco, Ghana, Ukraine, Mexico, and Vietnam, the program studies the impact of population growth and profiles organizations that respond to ecological crises stemming from such growth. With a focus on educational outreach efforts, particularly those for women and children, and the promotion of sustainable development in environmentally compromised regions, Changing Nature concludes that all ecological problems are essentially global and require global solutions. (58 minutes)

China may be the world's next superpower, but its wild economic growth doesn't tell the whole story. This program reveals the widening gap between Chinese urban and rural lifestyles and the escalating pressure for government action to increase educational and career opportunities in remote areas. Interviews with city dwellers whose affluence surprises even them-and with villagers struggling for basic necessities-combine with data-mapped GDP analysis to create an accurate economic portrait of the country. Abstaining from political judgment, the video raises questions about competing in the global marketplace without adequate domestic support systems. (31 minutes)

Despite its huge population and expanding industrial economy, most of China's inhabitants are farmers. This program journeys to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Beijing, exploring the relationship between Chinese agriculture and the urban centers of the country. Featuring visits to large-scale and family-operated farms, a walk along the Great Wall, and an interview with the U.S. embassy's agricultural attache, the program illuminates China's efforts to improve crop yields, food distribution, and environmental conditions. A viewable/printable instructor's guide-including geographical background information, extension activities, vocabulary handouts, and more-is available online. Correlates to National Geography Standards. (25 minutes)