ISSN 15251292 • Vol. 145, Nos. 6 & 7
I SS U E D AT E S
09.03.12
09.17.12
10.08.12
11.05.12
11.19.12
12.10.12
12.17.12
01.07.13
01.28.13
02.18.13
03.11.13
04.01.13
04.22.13
05.13.13
Get the
upfront
English/L
angua
supplem ge Arts
upfrontm ent at
agazine.c
om
Teacher’s Edition
Dear Teachers,
We’re delighted to bring you the 2013 World Affairs atlas and almanac. It’s full of maps, charts,
tables, and statistics—some fun, some serious—about the world’s 196 countries. It’s designed to get
your students talking and thinking critically about the challenges facing the world and the role of the
United States as a global leader.
The atlas includes an economic map of the world as well as six regional news maps spotlighting the
foreign-policy issues the U.S. faces in each region. The almanac features the latest data on population,
economy, government, and more. Together, they make a handy desk reference that students can consult
all year long. (And don’t worry if print issues get lost in lockers: The entire issue is available in digital,
whiteboard-ready format at upfrontmagazine.com.)
You’ll also find “World Leaders to Watch,” our rundown of a dozen leaders making headlines. Our
feature “Unveiling Europe” examines the debate surrounding France’s new law banning facial veils and what
it means for the Continent as it deals with a growing number of Muslim immigrants. And in “The Africa
You Haven’t Heard About,” we explain how foreign investments, newly
discovered mineral resources, and a rising tide of female entrepreneurs are
all helping transform that continent’s economies.
IAn Zack, Executive Editor
KEY ARTICLES
Subject/NCSS
international
 6 unveiling europe
Bans on Muslim veils raise tough questions about
religion and assimilation across the Continent.
international
 8 the africa you haven’t heard about
Why Africa is no longer the disaster zone many
Americans think it is.
international
10 world leaders to watch
Twelve world leaders who are sure to make headlines
in the year ahead
international
13 world affairs annual: almanac
Information and statistics on 196 countries,
from leaders and capitals to economic, social,
and political trends
international
A SUPPLEMENT TO
THE NEW YORK TIMES UPFRONT
CURRICULUM STANDARDS
13 world affairs annual: atlas
An economic map of the world, plus six regional news maps
with the major challenges the U.S. faces in each region
common core
global studies
current events
• Culture
• People, Places & Environments
world history
economics
• Production, Distribution &
Consumption
• Time, Continuity & Change
world history
global studies
• Power, Authority & Governance
• Time, Continuity & Change
geography
global studies
• Global Connections
• People, Places & Environments
geography
global studies
• Global Connections
• People, Places & Environments
reading informational
text: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10
literacy in history/social
studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10
reading informational
text: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
literacy in history/social
studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10
reading informational
text: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10
literacy in history/social
studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10
reading informational
text: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10
literacy in history/social
studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10
reading informational
text: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10
literacy in history/social
studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10
for a full list of the standards, go to Upfrontmagazine.com.
international
unveiling europe
LESSON
PLAN 1
critical thinking
A 2011 French law
forbids covering one’s
face in public for secular
or religious reasons,
prompting allegations
of French discrimination
against Muslims.
Why is France’s
so-called burqa ban
controversial?
Why did proponents
of the law argue that it
was needed? What do
opponents believe was
the real motivation for
the law? Which side
do you think is right?
Explain.
Has the law had the
effect that legislators
intended? Explain.
Do you think the U.S.
Congress would ever
pass such a law? Why
or why not?
writing prompt
Is the assimilation of new
immigrants (in terms
of culture, language,
dress, etc.) essential for
a cohesive society? Write
an essay supporting
your opinion. Include
examples from both
Europe and the U.S.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Former French President
Nicolas Sarkozy argued
that burqas and similar
veils make women
“prisoners behind a
screen” and deprive them
of their identities. Do
you agree or disagree?
Explain.
Debate
Does France’s new law
liberate Muslim women
or discriminate against
them? Defend your view.
How does the French
government’s stance
on religious expression
compare with the U.S.
government’s stance?
Look at the “Guide
to Muslim Veils” on
page 7. Why do you
think different Muslim
countries have such
different rules for
female dress?
Does it surprise you that
many Muslim women say
they wear head coverings
by choice? Explain.
Do you think Muslims
face any discrimination
in the U.S.? Explain.
fast fact
The Koran, the Muslim
holy book, encourages
both men and women to
dress modestly.
•
ON UPFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
Check out our video on the history of Muslim veils.
international
the africa you haven’t heard about
their economic growth in
coming decades? What
factors will determine
which nations experience
the most growth? Write
an essay, supporting your
ideas with evidence from
the article.
LESSON
PLAN 2
critical thinking
Though it has long been
associated with poverty
and despair, Africa is
now home to some of
the world’s fastestgrowing economies.
Before you read the
article, what images
did you associate with
Africa? Where do you
think those images
came from?
2 •
Does it surprise you
to learn how quickly
the economies of
many African nations
are growing? Explain.
What are some of the
reasons behind Africa’s
exceptional economic
growth?
writing prompt
What will it take for
African nations to sustain
Debate
Take a stand: Should
U.S. companies invest
only in sub-Saharan
nations that have
democratic institutions
and safeguard human
rights? Why or why not?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
European colonialism
in sub-Saharan Africa
ended half a century
ago. Do you think its
effects are still being
felt? Explain.
a customer “when
someone else has
convinced them you are
solely occupied with
swatting away flies from
your face.” What does
she mean?
Why do you think Chinese
companies have been so
quick to invest in Africa?
Should the U.S. be
worried?
Do you think a day will
come when Africa isn’t
the poorest continent?
Explain.
Why do you think Africa
has a high rate of female
entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneur Bethlehem
Tilahun says it’s hard
to sell a product to
ON UPFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
Download a map illustrating Africa’s economic growth.
U p f r o n t • Decem ber 10 & Decem ber 17, 2012 • u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
fast fact
In 2011, the U.S. ranked
third in exports to Africa
($31.5 billion), behind
China ($73.4 billion) and
France ($38.9 billion).
•
international
world affairs annual: almanac
writing prompt
Choose two nations
named in “World
Leaders to Watch” on
page 10. Use almanac
statistics to write an
essay comparing and
contrasting the nations.
How do the statistics
help you understand
each nation’s current
challenges?
LESSON
PLAN 3
critical thinking
The almanac pages
offer the latest data on
the world’s 196 nations.
Use the sample entry on
page 13 to give students
a preview.
Why do you think
the editors chose to
include these particular
statistics? Which of the
statistical categories
do you think tell us the
most about a nation?
How might these
statistics be helpful to
government leaders,
business owners, and
everyday people?
Why are almanacs
typically published
annually? Which of the
almanac statistics are
likely to change from
year to year? Which are
not? Explain.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The Middle East is a
region, not a continent.
Why do you think it’s
allotted its own section
in the almanac?
For which statistics
does the almanac give
separate data for men
and women? Why?
Which nations have the
greatest disparity in
data for men and data
for women? Which have
the least? How might
you explain this?
Do you think there are
connections among
some of the statistical
categories presented in
the almanac? Explain.
The H.D.I., or Human
Development Index,
combines several pieces
of data to provide an
overall measure of a
nation’s quality of life.
Which statistics would
you use to measure
quality of life? Why?
Which continents have
the world’s fastestgrowing populations?
What future challenges
might this growth
present?
fast fact
According to the United
Nations, the world
population reached
7 billion in 2011 and is
expected to exceed
10 billion by 2100.
•
ON UPFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
The entire digital edition—including the almanac tables—is whiteboard-ready.
international
world affairs annual: atlas
school in India, and now
lives in the U.S.) has
written that “geography
is destiny.” What do you
think he means? Do you
agree? Explain why or
why not, using evidence
from this issue’s maps,
tables, and articles.
LESSON
PLAN 4
critical thinking
Have students look at
the world economic map
and six regional maps.
Invite them to list the
features they notice
(map key, compass rose,
scale of miles, capital
cities, waterways,
lines of latitude and
longitude, etc.).
What is the purpose
of the economic map of
3 •
the world? What is the
purpose of the regional
maps? How do the
features of each map
support its purpose?
What are some of the
questions maps can
help people answer?
writing prompt
Novelist Abraham
Verghese (who grew up
in Ethiopia, attended
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What do you think
compelled the earliest
mapmakers to draw
maps? What tools and
resources might they
have used? How has
mapmaking changed
since then?
In response to pressure
from the U.S. over its
nuclear program, Iran
has threatened to close
the Strait of Hormuz.
What bodies of water
does this strait connect?
How might a blockade
there affect the U.S. and
other Western nations?
What countries could
be affected if violence
in Syria spills over that
country’s borders?
Should the U.S. intervene
if that occurs? Why or
why not?
The United States keeps
tens of thousands of
troops stationed in ally
nations South Korea and
Japan. Why do you think
it does so?
Throughout history,
what geographical
features do you think
have kept some nations
isolated? What features
have promoted trade
and cultural exchange?
fast factS
Africa has 54 nations—
the most of any
continent. With 12
nations, South America
has the fewest.
•
ON UPFRONTMAGAZINE.COM
Use the digital edition to view the maps on your whiteboard, computer, or projector.
U p f r o n t • Decem ber 10 & Decem ber 17, 2012 • u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
graph international
print this out
0
FRANCE 2.6
JAPAN 6.0
NATION
The first two graphs show the
nations with the world’s largest
gross domestic product (GDP) in
2007 and 2012. The third graph
shows the nations projected to
have the largest GDP in 2017.
GERMANY 3.7
BRAZIL 3.3
U.S. 19.7
5
CHINA 13.2
10
NATION
source: International monetary fund
2017
15
0
5
CHINA 8.3
GDP (IN TRILLIONS OF U.S. DOLLARS)
10
NATION
$20
GDP (IN TRILLIONS OF U.S. DOLLARS)
15
U.S. 15.7
0
U.K. 2.8
5
CHINA 3.5
JAPAN 4.4
10
GERMANY 3.3
15
U.S. 14.0
GDP (IN TRILLIONS OF U.S. DOLLARS)
O
ne key piece of data
you’ll find in Upfront‘s
almanac pages is gross
domestic product, or
GDP. The market value of
the goods and services
produced in a nation
in a given year, GDP is
one measure of the size
of a nation’s economy.
It includes consumer
spending, government
spending, business
spending on things like
buildings and equipment,
and net exports (the value
of total exports minus the
value of total imports).
The U.S. has long had
the world’s largest GDP.
But as these graphs
show, GDP rankings can
change over time.
2012
$20
GERMANY 3.4
2007
$20
JAPAN 6.6
Measuring
economic
Muscle
analyze the graph
1 In 2007, China’s
2 Which of these
GDP was about 25
percent of the U.S.’s.
In 2012, China’s GDP
is about ____ of U.S.
GDP.
a
b
c
d
nations is expected
to have the smallest
increase in GDP
from 2012 to 2017?
a
b
c
d
42 percent
53 percent
68 percent
71 percent
the U.S.
China
Japan
Germany
3 Global GDP in 2012
is about $70 trillion.
The five nations with
the highest GDP for
2012 make up ____
of it.
ccording to the
A
graphs, which
nation’s GDP is
projected to grow
by 60 percent from
2012 to 2017?
a
b
c
d
a
b
c
d
nearly a third
about two thirds
just over half
nearly three
quarters
4
the U.S.’s
China’s
Japan’s
Germany’s
5
You
can infer from
the graphs that from
2007 to 2012, ____.
a
the United
Kingdom’s GDP
fell by more than
$200 billion
b France’s GDP
increased by at
least $200 billion
c both a and b
d neither a nor b
discussion questions
1 Does it surprise you that the U.S. has the world’s largest economy? Why or why not? Do you think other nations will surpass the
U.S. over time? Explain.
2 What do you notice about Japan’s and China’s positions on the graphs? How might you explain this?
3 A nation’s gross domestic product is often divided by the population of that nation and expressed as a per capita figure. Why might
it be helpful to know the per capita, or per person, GDP of a nation? Do you think the top five economies in 2012 would be the same
if they were ranked by per capita GDP? Explain.
4 Do you think that a nation’s economic strength is synonymous with its overall well-being? Explain.
4 •
U p f r o n t • Decem ber 10 & Decem ber 17, 2012 • u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
quiz 1 international
print this out
unveiling europe (p. 6)
1 In France, it’s against the law to cover one’s
in-depth questions
4 According to the article, Muslim immigration
face in public
a
b
c
d
to Europe
nless it’s for religious reasons.
u
unless it’s for secular reasons.
or to force a woman to do so.
or to fast during Ramadan.
2 Under French law, a person caught wearing
a
b
c
d
a facial veil may be fined or
a
b
c
d
immediately deported from the
European Union.
ordered to take classes on French “values.”
sentenced to time in prison.
held in a remote camp for questioning.
3
The French government has actively tried to
a
encourage conservative Muslims to immigrate
to France.
promote Christianity while restricting
other religions.
stifle all forms of public expression.
keep all religious symbols out of public life.
b
c
d
is expected to level off soon after a decadelong surge.
is projected to rise sharply in coming decades.
tapered off about 10 years ago because of
restrictive immigration policies.
has largely been limited to France and
Belgium.
5
In a 2003 U.S. court case, a Florida judge ruled
that a Muslim woman had to remove her niqab,
or head-to-toe veil,
a
b
c
d
t o work in a municipal building.
before riding public transportation.
to have her driver’s license photo taken.
while teaching at a public school.
the africa you haven’t heard about (p. 8)
a
b
c
d
2 a
b
c
d
5 •
The International Monetary Fund predicts that,
over the next five years, Africa will
3
produce more than three fourths of the
world’s oil.
have the fastest-growing economy of any
continent.
have an economy that is double the size of the
U.S. economy.
begin exporting raw materials to the world
market.
a
b
c
d
International companies, especially ones
from ____, have recently been expanding
operations in Africa.
t he United Kingdom
the U.S.
Japan
China
France’s ban on
facial veils had
on some Muslim
women? Was this
the intended effect?
Explain.
2 What has Algerian-
born French
businessman
Rachid Nekkaz
done in response
to France’s “burqa
ban”? Why?
3 How do you think
France’s ban on
facial veils will
ultimately shape
that country’s
society? Explain.
print this out
quiz 2 international
1
1 What impact has
In the past decade, the number of Africans
living in poverty has
increased slightly.
stayed constant.
fallen by 10 percentage points.
been cut in half.
4 SoleRebels is an example of an African
company that
a
b
c
d
was started by a female entrepreneur.
originated overseas.
creates and sells Web-based products.
all of the above
5
Vast deposits of ____ have been discovered
in Africa.
a
b
c
d
oil
gas
minerals
all of the above
U p f r o n t • Decem ber 10 & Decem ber 17, 2012 • u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
in-depth questions
1 What are some
of the things that
attract foreign
investors to Africa?
2 Why do you think
entrepreneur
Bethlehem Tilahun
says there’s a need
to create more
African-owned
brands?
3 The author writes
that “Africa gets
a bad rap.” What
does he mean? How
is this changing?
quiz 3 international
print this out
world affairs annual: almanac (open book)
1
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is prime minister of
________________, the only European
nation to be considered part of the Middle East.
in-depth questions
7 How many Communist one-party states now
1 The United States,
exist in Asia? ________________
China, and Japan
currently have the
world’s biggest
economies. Use
the almanac to
describe some
similarities and
differences among
these nations.
8 Which Oceanian nation has a greater
2 The oldest nation in Europe is
______________.
3
_____________ has the highest per capita
_
GDP of any African nation. Its per capita GDP
is _______________.
population density (total population divided
by area): Australia or New Zealand?
_____________
9 Which North American nation has the
lowest Human Development Index (HDI)?
_______________________
4 The only African nation where more than
5
2 What is meant by
half of the population is under age 15 is
___________________.
10 What percentage of Cuba’s population lives in
_________________ has the lowest
_
female literacy rate in the Middle East. It is
________________ percentage points
below the male literacy rate for that nation.
11 What three major languages are spoken
________________ has Asia’s second_
highest population.
12 In what South American nation would
a “transitional”
government? Which
nations currently
have transitional
governments?
Why?
urban areas? ____________________
in Peru? ____________________,
______________________, and
______________________
3 What might the
6
LOCK IN THE
LOWEST
PRICE
We want to make sure loyal Upfront ® subscribers like you get the magazine
you want at the price you deserve. That’s why you’ll get the same low price
you paid this year if you renew before March 29.
Avoid price increases. Renew now for only $9.95
per student and get a FREE 10-Book Library!*
Please mention code 9402 when ordering.
languages spoken
in a nation suggest
about that nation’s
history and culture?
you find the capital city of Georgetown?
______________________
979-REN-S13G1
q
YES! Please renew my subscription to
The New York Times Upfront magazine at $9.95*
per student subscription.
Quantity**______ @ $9.95* each
Total _____
q Bill Me q Payment Enclosed
Name
Address
City/State/ZIP
Signature
E-mail***
* Price is for orders of 10 or more and includes online access, an extra desk
copy, and Teacher’s Guide. Please add a 10% shipping and handling charge
Price valid through 3/29/13. 10-Book Library Free with 20 or more
subscriptions.
** Quantity may be revised in the fall when class sizes are finalized.
*** By providing your e-mail address, you are permitting Scholastic Inc. to
send you information via electronic mail.
9402
Call or complete the form above and mail to:
Scholastic Classroom Magazines, P.O. Box 3710,
Jefferson City, MO 65102-9957 • Fax: 1-800-724-4911
Reserve your magazines now! For faster service, call 1-800-SCHOLASTIC
(1-800-724-6527) or visit www.scholastic.com/buy-upfront
6 •
U p f r o n t • Decem ber 10 & Decem ber 17, 2012 • u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
print this out
quiz 4 international
world affairs annual: atlas (open book)
1
According to the economic map of the world,
which of these Asian nations has a higher per
capita GDP: Japan or China? ____________
8 What named line of latitude passes through
the island nation of Taiwan? _____________
9 The ________________ mountain chain
2 Per capita GDP data is not yet available
for the east-central African nation of
______________, which gained its
independence just over a year ago.
separates India from the Tibetan Plateau and
the rest of northeast Asia.
10 How many U.S. states share a border with
Mexico? ____________________
in-depth questions
1 Look at the
economic map of
the world. What
economic patterns
do you see in
continents and
regions? How might
you explain those
patterns?
3 The body of water that separates England from
France is the ________________.
4 The European country of _____________ ,
whose capital is located at 37°N, 23°E , has one
of the Continent’s most ailing economies.
5
6
The African country of _______________
has coastline on both the Indian Ocean and the
piracy-plagued Gulf of Aden.
Positioned between Egypt and Algeria,
______________ has Africa’s largest oil
reserves.
7 The ___________ and _____________
rivers meet in southern Iraq.
11 The capital city of _____________, an
impoverished nation, lies about 700 miles
southeast of Miami, Florida.
12 The South American nation of
_________________ is home to a thriving
economy and the continent’s easternmost
capital city.
2 Why do you think
so many African
capital cities are
along the coast?
What might this
suggest about the
continent’s history?
3 How do you think
Play
s iqe
e
N w
w interactiv
the Middle East
got its name?
Do you think the
name makes sense
today? Why or why
not?
our ne
.
Game Show
answer key
where’s the Answer Key?
For a limited time, while log-in to the website
is not required, we have placed your answer keys in a
secret location so your students can’t find them!
Please click here to submit an email to request access.
Free DVD on financial planning concepts from LIFE Foundation. Order at scholastic.com/nextgen3/freedvd
POSTAL INFORMATION: The New York Times Upfront (ISSN 15251292; in Canada, 2-c, no. 9226) is published biweekly: September, November, January, and April (with a double issue for December 10 and 17); monthly:
October, February, March, and May; 14 issues, by Scholastic Inc., 2931 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3710. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO 65101 and additional offices. POSTMASTERS: Send
notice of address changes to The New York Times Upfront, 2931 East McCarty Street, P.O. Box 3710, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3710.
7 •
U p f r o n t • Decem ber 10 & Decem ber 17, 2012 • u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
cartoon Analysis
print this out
analyze the
political cartoon
1 What does the cow in
the cartoon represent?
Where did its “food”
come from?
2 What is the figure
labeled “China”
doing? What does this
suggest about the
relationship between
China and Africa?
3
Who is the figure
in the background?
Why is he upset?
4
I s China’s heavy
investment in Africa
good for the continent?
Why or why not?
5 Do you think the
Go to
PARESH NATH Photo Analysis
• THE KHALEEJ TIMES (UAE) • CAGLE CARTOONS
online
cartoon
of the
week
U.S. should hurry to
invest more in Africa?
Why or why not?
print this out
analyze the photo
(See p. 6 in magazine.)
1 Why did France pass a
ban on full facial veils
like this niqab?
2 Does it surprise
you that some
Muslim women have
protested the ban?
Why or why not?
3 How do you think
©MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images
wearing a veil affects
a woman’s sense of
identity? How might
a woman who wears
a veil answer that
question?
Essay
Should the U.S. in any
way restrict women’s
right to wear full
facial veils? Explain.
www.upfrontmagazine.com