Reference no: EM133561896

Discussion Directions

In a few paragraphs totaling ~ roughly 400-600 words, please respond to the discussion prompts below. This exercise, like all ten region-focused discussion forums, is graded and worth up to 7/100 points. Thus in total, the 10 region-focused forums are worth 70/100 points. To earn full credit, you must also respond to at least one other students' commentaries - the key thing is to engage in a constructive way with your knowledgeable classmates so we can all learn from each other!

Discussion Prompts

Make sure you respond to all questions below, and ensure roughly half of your response deals with (1) and half with (2). The Current Affairs prompt response can be briefer as it is more about your personal opinion.

What did Prof. Kris Olds' case study lecture on Vancouver demonstrate about Canada's birth as a 'nation' and its evolving historical and contemporary connections to other world regions? And is there an equivalent East Asian or Latin American 'gateway' city to Vancouver in the United States? Which one is it, and why do you feel this? If not, any thoughts as to why not?
Prof. Olds recorded the interview with then Canadian Consul General Aaron Annables in July 2022, and you could sense he was concerned about simmering trade tensions between Canada and the United States (including Wisconsin). And in 2022, despite being close allies and with Biden in power, the US and Canada are still engaged in an on-off-on-off struggle over trade relations (e.g., search for terms like the 'Keystone XL Pipeline' or Enbridge pipeline and Michigan). More broadly, follow this link for some news stories about the trade tensionsLinks to an external site.. And see these links to skim some data: Wisconsin Trade FactsLinks to an external site. (2018); Wisconsin Export Data 2019Links to an external site. (2019); Canadian Trade and Investment Activity: Canada-WisconsinLinks to an external site. (2017); US-Canada Trade FactsLinks to an external site. (2019). Aaron Annables also asked me to share this Wisconsin - State Trade Fact Sheet Download Wisconsin - State Trade Fact Sheet(March 2022) with you.
Now imagine you have an internship in the Governor's Office, State of Wisconsin, and he is preparing to host the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. during an official visit in late October 2023. Do some web-based research and write out some summary notes (bullet points are fine!) for Governor Evers that flag:
Three noteworthy & memorable facts about the nature of Canada-Wisconsin trade interdependencies. Be sure to cite your sources and be sufficiently details for an inquisitive governor who needs to be accurate and clear when bargaining or advocating.

Any potential 'flash point' or 'hot button' items the Governor should be aware about regarding Canada-US (including Wisconsin) relations. Be sure to cite your sources and be sufficiently details for an inquisitive governor who needs to be accurate and clear when bargaining or advocating.
Listen, twice, to Dr. Almita Miranda's Dangerous Idea (Crossing Borders in North America). Dr. Miranda's perspective emerged after she conducted years of ethnographic work on both sides of the Mexico-US border. What are Dr. Miranda's main arguments? What is the strongest argument for and/or against this Dangerous Idea?