This instructional unit contains six classroom lessons in which 9th, 10th, or 11th grade social studies students examine the effects of competition among nations and world regions as demand for oil outstrips supply. The overall objective is to help students understand the concept that energy is a commodity to be bought and sold like any other commodity but in a marketplace that is a global one. The lessons were written by teachers and can be integrated into social studies, economics, world history, contemporary issues, and world geography courses. The lessons are: (1) Why Some Nations Use More Energy; (2) Energy: Who Has It; Who Needs It?; (3) From Those Who Have To Those Who Want: The Oil Trade Routes; (4) What If...Everyone Wants More?; (5) Retrodollars: The Problem of Too Much Money; and (6) The Oil Price Game -- Everybody Plays (A Simulation Of The World Market for Oil). The activities in which students are involved include analyzing maps, graphs, and charts; answering questions based on short reading selections; and playing games. Each lesson can be taught in one classroom period. All teachers and student materials are included. (Author/RM)