Ancient and Modern Worlds

Students watch the film, "A Thousand Suns," by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, about the traditional farmers of the African Rift Valley and their unique world-view. In this lesson, students examine the impacts of globalization and climate change on traditional farming in the Gamo Highlands of the Rift Valley. Students identify ways that Gamo farming is linked to a unique holistic worldview and debate whether globalization is having a positive or negative impact on Gamo culture. Reflective writing prompts are also included for students to demonstrate their understanding of the story.