Trade Protectionism: An Economic Advising Project
Created byRichard Quantrill
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Trade Protectionism: An Economic Advising Project

Grade 12Economics3 days
This project challenges students to act as economic advisors, navigating the complexities of international trade and trade protectionism. Students analyze the impacts of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies on different stakeholders, balancing national interests with global cooperation. Through debates, market analysis, and policy recommendations, they explore the ethical implications of trade barriers and develop a comprehensive understanding of global economics.
International TradeTrade ProtectionismTariffsQuotasSubsidiesEconomic PolicyStakeholder Analysis
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.As economic advisors, how can we guide our chosen country through the complexities of international trade, balancing its economic interests with global cooperation while considering the ethical implications of trade protectionist policies like tariffs, quotas, and subsidies on various stakeholders?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How do trade protectionist policies, such as tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, influence global markets and international relations?
  • What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing trade barriers for both domestic and foreign economies?
  • From the perspective of an economic advisor, how would you recommend a country navigate the complexities of international trade while balancing its own economic interests with global economic cooperation?
  • Can you evaluate the ethical implications of using trade protectionist measures, considering their impact on various stakeholders, including consumers, producers, and governments?
  • How can economic models and diagrams be used to illustrate and analyze the effects of trade policies on market equilibrium, welfare, and efficiency?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to define and explain tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, as well as analyse and evaluate their effects on markets and stakeholders.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Confidential Trade Crisis

Students receive a "confidential memo" outlining an urgent trade crisis impacting their assigned country. The memo details specific market pressures and challenges, demanding immediate policy recommendations. Students must then research and propose solutions, justifying their choices with economic data and analysis.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

The Great Trade Debate: Stakeholders at the Table

Students will participate in a debate, representing different stakeholder perspectives on trade protectionism. They will research and present arguments for and against specific trade policies, considering their impact on various stakeholders.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide the class into groups representing different stakeholder perspectives (e.g., domestic producers, consumers, foreign governments).
2. Research and develop arguments for and against trade protectionist policies, considering the interests of your assigned stakeholder group.
3. Prepare presentation materials, including visual aids and supporting evidence.
4. Participate in a class debate, presenting your arguments and responding to opposing viewpoints.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityDebate presentation materials, including arguments for and against trade protectionism from specific stakeholder perspectives.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsArguments for and against trade protection, including specific examples like protection of infant industries, national security, etc.
Activity 2

Trade Protectionism Flashcards

Students will individually research and define key terms related to trade protectionism. They will create flashcards with definitions, examples, and visual representations of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research and define tariffs, quotas, and subsidies.
2. Find real-world examples of each trade policy.
3. Create a visual representation (e.g., diagram, chart) illustrating the impact of each policy.
4. Compile the information into flashcards.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of flashcards for tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, including definitions, examples, and visual representations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDefine and explain tariffs, quotas, subsidies, and their effects on markets and stakeholders. Analyze diagrams illustrating the impact of these policies.
Activity 3

Market Analysis: Trade Policy in Action

Students will work in pairs to analyze the effects of a specific trade policy (tariff, quota, or subsidy) on a given market. They will create a diagram illustrating the market changes and write a report explaining their analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a specific trade policy (tariff, quota, or subsidy) and a target market.
2. Draw a market diagram illustrating the market equilibrium before the implementation of the trade policy.
3. Modify the diagram to show the effects of the chosen trade policy on price, quantity, and other relevant market factors.
4. Write a report explaining the changes illustrated in the diagram, including the impact on stakeholders.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA market diagram and a written report explaining the effects of a specific trade policy.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDraw and explain/analyze diagrams showing the effect of a tariff/quota/subsidy on price, production, consumption, expenditures, revenues, welfare.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Trade Protectionism and Stakeholder Impact Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Trade Policies

Assessment of students' knowledge and comprehension of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies.
Criterion 1

Definition and Explanation of Trade Policies

Measures the student's ability to accurately define and explain tariffs, quotas, and subsidies.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides comprehensive and precise definitions and explanations of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies with insightful examples and implications.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides accurate definitions and explanations of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies with relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Provides basic definitions and explanations of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies with some examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides incomplete or unclear definitions of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies with minimal examples.

Criterion 2

Impact on Markets and Stakeholders

Evaluates the student's ability to analyze the impact of trade policies on markets and stakeholders.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly analyzes the impact of trade policies on market equilibrium, welfare, and stakeholders, providing detailed evidence and reasoning.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately analyzes the impact of trade policies on market equilibrium and stakeholders with clear evidence.

Developing
2 Points

Provides partial analysis of the impact of trade policies with limited evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a minimal or incorrect analysis of the impact of trade policies with insufficient evidence.

Category 2

Application of Economic Models

Assessment of students' skills in utilizing economic models and diagrams to illustrate trade policy impacts.
Criterion 1

Diagram Accuracy

Evaluates the accuracy and clarity of diagrams used to illustrate trade policies.

Exemplary
4 Points

Diagrams are precise, accurately labeled, and effectively illustrate the effects of trade policies, supported by thorough explanations.

Proficient
3 Points

Diagrams are accurate and effectively illustrate the effects of trade policies with clear labeling.

Developing
2 Points

Diagrams are mostly accurate but may lack clarity in illustrating the effects of trade policies.

Beginning
1 Points

Diagrams are inaccurate and fail to clearly illustrate the effects of trade policies.

Category 3

Critical Thinking and Ethical Evaluation

Assessment of students' critical thinking and ethical reasoning in trade policy evaluation.
Criterion 1

Arguments for and Against Trade Policies

Measures the student's ability to construct well-reasoned arguments for and against trade policies considering various stakeholder perspectives.

Exemplary
4 Points

Constructs sophisticated arguments, integrating a wide range of stakeholder perspectives, with nuanced ethical reasoning.

Proficient
3 Points

Constructs clear arguments incorporating multiple stakeholder perspectives and ethical considerations.

Developing
2 Points

Constructs basic arguments with limited stakeholder perspectives or ethical considerations.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to construct coherent arguments with minimal stakeholder perspectives and ethical reasoning.

Category 4

Communication and Presentation Skills

Assessment of effectiveness in presenting ideas clearly and engaging with opposing viewpoints during debates.
Criterion 1

Clarity and Engagement in Communication

Measures the student's ability to communicate ideas clearly and engage effectively in debates.

Exemplary
4 Points

Communicates ideas with exceptional clarity and engages skillfully with opposing viewpoints, demonstrating leadership in discussions.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates ideas clearly and engages well with opposing viewpoints.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates ideas with some clarity and attempts to engage with opposing viewpoints.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to communicate ideas clearly and engage with opposing viewpoints.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on the overall experience of learning about international trade and trade protectionism. What key insights did you gain from this unit?

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Question 2

Considering your role as an economic advisor, how has your understanding of tariffs, quotas, and subsidies changed throughout this learning experience?

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Required
Question 3

From your chosen country's perspective, what are the most significant ethical considerations surrounding the implementation of trade protectionist policies?

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Required
Question 4

How confident are you in your ability to analyze the effects of trade policies using economic models and diagrams?

Scale
Required
Question 5

Which portfolio activity did you find most valuable for learning about trade and protectionism? Why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
The Great Trade Debate: Stakeholders at the Table
Trade Protectionism Flashcards
Market Analysis: Trade Policy in Action