Topic 1: Germany’s Changing Position in Europe               and the World

Transfer Task

Note to the Teacher: Although the transfer task is included here, it is intended that this task be given to students at the end of the three lessons. Its placement here is intended to remind teachers of the content and thinking strategies that will need to be part of the classroom instruction if students are to perform well on the transfer task.

Context
Now that you have learned more about Germany and its geography, economy, and cultural diversity, you are ready to think about how these lessons might be applied in a different setting.

Problem
The Economic Development Council in your state wants to encourage companies to expand into the European market. The Council wants companies in your state to take advantage of human, natural, and/or capital resources available in European countries by locating a division of the company in Europe. The Council decided to begin with one country in Europe and research the type of company that would benefit from locating a division there. The Council selected Germany as the country for the initial research. The research will need to examine the availability of human, capital, and natural resources and look at both opportunities and challenges to the locating of a division in Germany. The council will assign the task to one staff person to lead the research and to write a report for the council.

Role/Perspective
You have been selected as the staff member who will lead in the research and write the report.

Product
Prepare a report that recommends the type of company that should locate a division in Germany, the location for that company, and the justification for this recommendation. The report should include the opportunities and challenges for this company.

Criteria
In your recommendation, be sure to include:

A company that should locate a division in Germany

The product or service provided by the company

The location of this company within Germany

Reasons for selecting the type of company

Reasons for selecting the specific location for the company

Reasons that location in Germany is an opportunity

Geographic, economic, and/or cultural challenges this company might face