HOMEWORK 18/05/09

How exactly do our choices of food purchases affect the food system?

Dude! What are you wearing!?!

Check your clothing labels. Go on... do it! Where were your clothes made? Chances are that the clothes we are wearing were produced by someone in a "less developed country" (LDSs) for a fraction of what it would cost to produce in Germany or in the USA. What are the cost and benefits of this? How do we "trade" with people who might only earn a few Euros/Dollars a week? Is such a system beneficial? For whom?

You are what you eat!

We know that the way the world produces food has changed over that last 50 years. Some argue that the "globalization" of food production has created food shortages, the disappearance of the family farm, and lead to widespread food borne illnesses. What do you think? Have the benefits outweighed the costs? Refer to at least one of the following articles in your response:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080512/nichols
http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723723/k.33DB/Globalization_and_Consumer_Choice.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol3no4/kaferste.htm

GLOBALIZATION AND YOU

"Where do I as an individual fit into the global competition and opportunities of today?" Try to answer Friedman's question by looking at the requirements, chances, and dangers, that globalization mean for YOU.
What must a young "globalized citizen" be able to do to be "successful"?

AMERICAN CULTURE IN GERMANY

American culture worldwide. Globalization works in many different areas. Examine how American culture is present in our lives.

GLOBAL FOOD

Food items often travel around the world before we eat them. Analyze eating habits in your country. You might consider the following aspects, among others:
time (mealtimes, time it takes to prepare and eat meals), accelerating lifestyles, presence of women in the workforce, access to a variety of foods, food advertising, ethnic food (which countries = which foods?)

CARTOON

'They used to be thought of as crackpots.' (Sign reads - civilization is doomed due to overpopulation, pollution, misuse of energy and resources.)

ENVIRONMENT

There are a lot of movements to do something for the protection of the environment, which has become a global issue. Make a list of the ones you think are worthy of your support and discuss why you think so.

STATEMENT 1

Should you "buy globally" or "buy locally", considering the environmental impact of the transport industry? Give a statement and give reasons for your opinion. You can refer to and comment on what the other members of your group say.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION

Collect all direct and indirect effects of globalization that you would regard as negative. Be specific about the negative impact by giving examples and referring to sources and evidence.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION

Collect all direct and indirect effects of globalization that you would regard as positive. Be specific about the positive impact by giving examples and referring to sources and evidence.

GLOBALIZATION - A DEFINITION

Try to give a precise definition of "GLOBALIZATION"