The Ponds of Kalambayi is the story of Mike Tidwell’s time as a Peace Corps agent in the chiefdom of Kalambayi. Two themes are present throughout this story: connection and disconnection.

Tidwell both directly and indirectly describes how Kalambayi is connected to the global system we are learning about in class. What forces of globalization are at play there? Do these forces have implications for Kalambayi people? What are the implications or impacts of these connections?

Through Mike’s experiences, we also see the ways in which the western world and Kalambayi are profoundly disconnected. Offer some examples of this disconnection from the text. What implications does a disconnection between cultures have to our understanding of globalization?

In the last paragraph, attempt to answer this question: Did the pond project fail, or was it a success? Apply your critical thinking skills to this question.

Technical requirements from the syllabus: “All papers will be at least 5 pages in length, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins.”