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NAME:__________________________ DATE:_______________ CLUSTER 3: CANADA IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT CONT’ What’s Globalization? What’s Consumerism? What Does Fair Trade Mean? What’s a Transnational Corporation? LIVING IN AN INDUSTRIALIZED CONSUMER SOCIETY BOOKLET BREAKDOWN: Part 1: Word Bank, Exploring Globalization Part 2: Examining Mass Consumerism Part 3: Consumer Choices and Human Impact Part 4: Taking Action & Getting Involved! Part 5: Additional Resources
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NAME:__________________________ DATE:_______________
CLUSTER 3: CANADA IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT CONT’
What’s Globalization? What’s Consumerism?
What Does Fair Trade Mean?What’s a Transnational Corporation?
LIVING IN AN INDUSTRIALIZED CONSUMER SOCIETY BOOKLET
BREAKDOWN:Part 1:
Word Bank,Exploring Globalization
Part 2:Examining Mass Con-
sumerism
Part 3: Consumer Choices and Hu-
man Impact
Part 4: Taking Action & Getting In-
volved!
Part 5: Additional Resources
Word BankGlobalization:
Is a process of interaction and integration among the people, com-panies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technol-ogy.
Transnational Corporation (TNC):
Is a huge company that does business in several countries. Many TNCs are much richer than entire countries in the less developed world.
Consumerism:
The protection or promotion of the interests of consumers.
Consumer-based Economy:
Describes an economy driven by consumer spending as a percent of its gross domestic product, as opposed to the other major compo-nents of GDP (gross private domestic investment, government spending, and imports netted against exports).
Industrialized Nation:
A developed country, or "more economically developed country" (MEDC), is a sovereign state that has a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less in-dustrialized nations.
Fair Trade:
Trade in which fair prices are paid to producers in developing coun-tries.
Supply and Demand:
The amount of a commodity, product, or service available and the desire of buyers for it, considered as factors regulating its price.
Planned Obsolescence:
A policy of producing consumer goods that rapidly become obsolete and so require replacing, achieved by frequent changes in design, termination of the supply of spare parts, and the use of nondurable
D
Part 1: Examining Mass Consumerism NAME:__________________________ DATE:___________________________
Video: ‘‘ The Story of Stuff ’’
Watch the video “The story of Stuff” and answer the following 5 questions:1.) How many trees are cut down in the Amazon every minute?
2.) How many synthetic chemicals are use in commerce today?
3.) Which country admitted to emitting 400,000,000 lbs of toxic chemicals per year?
4.) How much household garbage is produced each day by 1 average American family?
5.) What does ‘perceived obsolescence’ mean?
Part 1: Examining Mass Consumerism NAME:__________________________ DATE:___________________________
In the space below, draw a picture of something that you have recently thrown away:
Where do you think that item originally came from? And where do you think it ended up once you threw it away?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PART 2: EXPLORING GLOBALIZATION GLOBALIZATION ACTIVITY:
EVERY DAY, WE AS CANADIANS BUY PRODUCTS FROM MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATIONS. AL-THOUGH LARGE COMPANIES OFTEN HAVE A LOGO TO SYMBOLIZE THEMSELVES, MANY SMALL LOCAL COMPANIES IN WINNIPEG ALSO DO THE SAME. EXAMINING THE IMAGES BELOW, SEE IF YOU CAN DISCOVER AND CIRCLE THE 3 LOGOS THAT ARE NOT INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED:
CAN YOU THINK OF ANY OTHER INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BRANDS?IF SO, LIST THEM BELOW:
NAME:_______________________________ DATE:__________________________
PART 2: EXPLORING GLOBALIZATION Class viewing of the Documentary Film: ‘ Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price ’ **During the film it is important to take notes in order to effectively answer the questions listed on the next page**NOTES:
Part 2: Exploring GlobalizationNAME:_______________________________ DATE:__________________________
**Using your notes from the film and personal opinion, answer the following 3 ques-tions**
1.) How has the growth of Wal-Mart impacted communities around the world? (Your answer must provide at least 2 examples) (5 marks)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.) How do you think small business feel about Wal-Mart? (2 marks) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
Documentary Title:Wal-Mart: The high cost of low
PriceLength: 1 hr 37 mins
Year: 2005Director: Robert Greenwald
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.) What did you learn from the documentary ‘Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price’? What aspects did you like or dislike about the film? (Point Form Optional) (3 marks)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________*Bonus Question:4.) Who are the Walton’s? (1 extra point) Total Mark: /15
Part 3: Consumer Choices and Human Impact NAME:__________________________ DATE:___________________________Today, we are taking a look at the negative impact our everyday consumer choices can have on societies around the world. Take a moment to look over the images below, what do you see? How do you feel? Write your re-sponse beside the images.
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Part 3: Consumer Choices and Human Impact NAME:__________________________ DATE:___________________________After viewing the Fifth Estate’s special titled ‘Made in Bangladesh’ how do you feel about the factories in Bangladesh, are they safe or dangerous? Explain.
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Do you think that companies, like Joe Fresh, should be held responsible when unsafe fac-tories collapse and kill factory workers? Explain.
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What can we as Canadians do to improve the working conditions of factory workers? Brainstorm a few ways that we could raise awareness about the poor working conditions in overseas factories, and ways to improve them.
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Part 4: Taking Action & Getting Involved!Now that we have learned about globalization and mass consumerism and its impact, it’s time to take action and get involved! As a class, we have explored the harsh experiences of factory workers around the world. Many factory workers are forced to work in unsafe conditions under brutal (and sometimes abusive) management. We as Canadian con-sumers need to speak up for these workers, and demand that their rights be respected. For this exercise we will be writing formal letters to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. Each letter will encourage the Prime Minister to defend the rights of foreign fac-tory workers that produce goods for Canada.
Your letter should include:
-A brief introduction, including your name and school
-The reason you are writing the Prime Minister
-Any Concerns and Questions surrounding the topic of poor working conditions for fac-tory workers who produce goods for Canadians.
Your letter may also include:
-Suggestions on how to improve the working conditions for factory workers
- You may ask the PM what his party can/will do for factory workers in order to ensure their safety. Or if there are any policies in place to protect workers overseas who pro-duce goods for Canada.
*The Next Page Includes a ‘FORMAL LETTER’ Example*
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Prime Minister’s Contact Information:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
(Sample Letter to a Government Official)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]
[Name of Government Official]
[Official’s Title]
[Section of Government]
[Official’s Address]
Dear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, my name is Billy and I am a grade 9 student at Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am writing you today because I have recently been learning about globalization and consumerism in my Social studies class and I have some questions and con-cerns that I would like to share with you.
Over the past week I have been learning about the poor working conditions that many factory workers have to be in overseas. As a class we viewed the Fifth Estate’s special report titled ‘Made in Bangladesh’, it was very sad. The report talked about all of the people that died in the Joe Fresh fac-tory collapse, and it made me think “what will this Canadian company do to repair the area and the families?” Only, I was sad to find out that very little was actually done by the company in order to re-pair the damage. Again, this made me think…does Canada have any official policies that protect the rights of foreign workers who produce goods for Canadians? If so, what are they? Because I feel as though ALL Canadians should care about where their products come from, and who is making them. We as a society should not ignore the poor working conditions overseas, and we MUST hold these mega-million (sometimes billion) dollar companies responsible.
It is my hope, that you think about my concerns and consider ways to promote healthy trade with countries such as Bangladesh and China. But that you also are firm on your stance against un-just and poor working conditions. I hope that you keep a watchful eye over Canada’s large companies that produce their goods in impoverished countries, because I feel as though these companies are giving our country a bad reputation. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. And just remem-ber: “be the change you want to see in the world”.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Part 5: Additional ResourcesHere are some additional resources that focus on a number of topics related to: global-ization, human impact on the planet, industry and the environment, politics
Documentaries: Description:The True Cost, 2015 Sweat Shops, Female Labor, Poor Working Con-
ditions, Social & Environmental Impact
Cowspiracy, 2014 Environmental impact, animal husbandry, busi-ness, politics, consumerism
The Human Experiment, 2013 Environmental impact, plastic and waste, toxic chemicals, health issues
Bottled Life, 2013 Commodification (selling of) water, globaliza-tion, crisis, politics, business
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, 2011 Globalization, marketing/advertisements, busi-ness, mass consumerism
The Corporation, 2003 Politics, business, consumerism, corruption, hu-man & economic impact
Helpful & Informative Websites:Slavery Footprint: This website helps consumers understand how many slaves work to produce their products. Through a series of questions, the website determines how many slaves are working for you. It encourages global consciousness and consumer aware-ness.Website Link: http://slaveryfootprint.org/my-footprint#resultsFree The Children: This website encourages youth to take action and make a change in their communities. Free the Children also puts on events such as ‘Me to We’. The site also offers volunteer projects around the world, charitable initiatives and community-based fundraising campaigns. Overall, this site is awesome for those looking to help out the global community.Website Link: http://www.freethechildren.comChange.org: This website encourages people to get involved in a number of campaigns (both locally and globally) by signing online petitions. The website provides a number of ways in which you can support your community. Website Link: https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions
