In Eighth Grade Global Studies, students will focus heavily on geography with a secondary focus on contemporary world history. Students will study the four geography themes of citizenship, government, economics, and regional geography. Furthermore, students in Global Studies will explore the regions of the world using geographic information. They will analyze important trends such as demographic change, trade patterns, and the increase of cultural interaction due to globalization. Students will also draw connections between revolutions, independence movements, and social transformations. By learning economic principles of trade and the factors that affect economic growth, students understand why there are different standards of living in countries around the world.