Dean Lambert, Associate Professor of Geography, SAC
Drug Wars: Mexican Drug Trafficking in a Globalizing World
This project is entitled "Drug Wars" for several reasons. In 1971 the Nixon Administration declared its "War on Drugs" in an effort to reduce drug consumption in the United States. Since that time U.S. authorities have attempted to wage war on drug trafficking organizations, and at times, on the consumers themselves (approximately 23% of inmates in the U.S. prison system are currently serving sentences for drug possession). While one may debate whether a country can actually wage a "war" on an inanimate object, the term helps emphasize the sense of urgency relating to this issue. Appropriate term or not, authorities are indeed fighting a war to reduce the availability of these illicit products and to stem the tide of violence that is associated with the trade.
The expression "drug wars" is also commonly used to describe the violent struggle between the various trafficking organizations now operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. Recent reports suggest that several thousand people have been killed in the last decade since Colombian cocaine began moving across the U.S.-Mexico border in large quantities; forcing any informed observer to call the situation nothing less than a "war."
The vast majority of drugs (especially marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs) are smuggled into the United States from Mexico. This activity has been of major concern to the U.S. government for at least twenty years. Indeed, drugs have been smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico (albeit in much smaller quantities) since the 1920s. However, significant changes in drug shipment routes during the late 1980s have placed northern Mexico at the focus of these operations today.
Description of this Web Site
It has become increasingly apparent that some of the processes of globalization have facilitated drug trafficking from Mexico into the United States. Most significant have been the significant increases in cross-border commerce as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This project is designed to serve as an interdisciplinary learning tool that is focused on the character of illicit drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border. The project is also designed to augment public interest in the long-term impacts of drug trafficking, undocumented migration, regional instability, and the processes of globalization. It may also provide an opportunity for individuals to see the potential relationships between free trade and illicit activities in other world regions.
This web site also contains an interactive map browser of drug trafficking activities across the border and related producing regions within Latin America. The map browser utilizes ArcIMS technology from ESRI, Inc. New users are encouraged to view the tutorial before using the map.
Roger Stanley (Instructor,Astronomy) San Antonio College
Measuring Global Warming
This project will create electronic maps, associated questions, and a website with information and links regarding global climate change will be created for student use in multiple disciplines. Students will use interactive maps to gain an understanding of some of the consequences of temperature change on our planet.
Under Construction:
Jose Egremy (Biology) and Linda Cuellar (Communications) Northwest Vista
Rainforests
This curriculum module increases students’ awareness of the environmental, economical, atmospheric, geographical, cultural, historical and political importance of the rain and cloud forests. The module will consist of a website and DVD documentary.
Theodora Rufner (Instructor, Kinesiology, Health and Dance) Palo Alto College)
World Dance I: DANC1305 - Outline for Distance Learning Course.
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Nora McMillan (Professor of History, San Antonio College)
Sights and Sounds of the Maya Past and Present
This multimedia presentation includes images and recordings conducted as part of an NEH Summer Instititue in 2006.
Other Examples:
The following links are examples of Interdisciplinary Online Resources created at other institutions. They offer inspiration and good models for to ponder. They are by no means exhaustive. Please email further suggestions to the website moderator.
Resources:
The following link direct you to resources both on and offline that can be utilized when creating your own Interdisciplinary Learning Modules. They are by no means exhaustive. Please email further suggestions to the moderator.
