Anantha Sudhakar
Assignment 1: Global Responsibility
Eric Schlosser, "Global Realization" (524-550)
In a public statement about the McLibel case (discussed by Schlosser
on pages 540-545), British lawyer Michael Mansfield proclaimed the
case to be "the trial of the century," saying that "it concerns the
most important issues that any of us have to face, living our ordinary
lives" (http://www.spannerfilms.net/?lid=161). Keeping in mind what
you have learned from Schlosser's essay, in what ways do you think
challenging McDonald's is or is not crucially relevant to "living our
ordinary lives"? Is it worth fighting corporations like McDonald's?
Or do you imagine a more effective way of addressing
corporate/consumer conflicts? What might the struggle between
McDonald's and individual activists suggest about the "new world
order" that Schlosser mentions in his essay (532)?
Your paper should present a clear, arguable and focused thesis
statement in your introduction, followed by paragraphs that build and
support that thesis. As you write, try to limit summary of "Global
Realization," and instead refer to or quote key passages and facts
from Schlosser's essay to demonstrate your points. Your job here is
to use Schlosser's ideas and analysis to both spark and support a
project of your own. Be specific in your use of evidence and choose
quotes from the text that bolster, not just restate, your ideas.
No outside research is required for this paper, but if you are
interested in reading more about Schlosser or the McLibel trial, visit
the Link-o-Mat at http://www.newhum.com. There is an online interview
with Schlosser at this page that you can view by registering (for
free) with New York Times Online.
Essays are to be typed in standard 12-point font, double-spaced and
stapled. Follow MLA guidelines for citation (see the Prentice Hall
Reference Guide). Number pages, and include your name, my name, the
date and a title for your essay on the first page.
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The first draft of your paper (4-5 pages) is due Monday, September 13th.
Please bring three copies of your paper to class for peer review.
The final draft of your paper (5 page minimum) is due Monday, September 20th.
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Assignment 2: Rethinking Globalization
Eric Schlosser, "Global Realization" (524-550)
Mary Kaldor, "Beyond Militarism, Arms Races, and Arms Control" (382-400)
In this paper, you will set the two "types" of globalization described
by Eric Schlosser and Mary Kaldor in dialogue with one another. In
"Global Realization," Schlosser argues against the way that "the
values, tastes, and industrial practices of the American fast food
industry are being exported to every corner of the globe, helping to
create a homogenized international culture" (528-9). Kaldor, on the
other hand, favors the creation of a "legitimate set of global rules"
that would be politically enforced by a "humanitarian regime that
takes ultimate responsibility for the protection of individuals and
for upholding international law" (396). Considering what you've read
in both these essays, do you think it would be possible for a
culturally homogeneous world to be a site of global justice? Or
would the fast food and other "Americanizing" industries need to be
altered for global peacekeeping efforts to be truly effective?
In order to prepare your response, first identify the changes that
Schlosser and Kaldor implicitly or explicitly encourage through their
pieces. Are they compatible? In what ways? How is the issue of
corporate/consumer rights that you explored in your first essay
related to the problems raised by the "netforce" that Kaldor
discusses? What does Schlosser's interest in culture have to do with
Kaldor's attention to war and political conflict?
Your paper should offer a clear, specific and original thesis
statement that is supported by specific references to Schlosser and
Kaldor's essays. Remember to integrate quotes from both pieces to
support your claims, and to offer sustained analysis of these authors'
works, rather than summary–Schlosser and Kaldor should offer a
springboard and framework for your own ideas.
If, at any time, you would like to discuss your paper, you may either
stop by my office during office hours or email me to set up an
appointment.
Essays are to be typed in standard 12-point font, double-spaced and
stapled. Follow MLA guidelines for citation (see the Prentice Hall
Reference Guide). Number pages, and include your name, my name, the
date and a title for your essay on the first page.
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The first draft of your paper (5-7 pages) is due Monday, September
27th. Please bring three copies of your paper to class for peer
review.
The final draft of your paper (5-7 pages) is due Monday, October 4th.
**
Assignment 3: A Different World
Eric Schlosser, "Global Realization" (524-550)
Mary Kaldor, "Beyond Militarism, Arms Races, and Arms Control" (382-400)
Amy Chua, "Why They Hate Us" (xerox)
For the last paper of our sequence on globalization, you will bring
Schlosser, Kaldor and Chua into conversation with one another by
thinking about the way they address the relationship between
globalization and difference. Considering the authors we've read, how
do you think we should account for and respond to the increasing
interaction between various cultural, religious, racial and national
groups in the world? Are these differences something to be valued and
promoted, or managed and controlled, or something else entirely? Does
any one group or nation hold a responsibility to the rest of the
world?
Your 5-7 page paper should offer a clear, specific and original thesis
statement that is supported by specific references to Schlosser, Chua
and Kaldor's essays. Remember to integrate quotes to support your
claims and to offer sustained analysis of these authors' works, rather
than summary. Your paper should not simply offer a comparison between
the three authors we've read but, rather, use their ideas as a support
and inspiration for your own.
If, at any time, you would like to discuss your paper, you may either
stop by my office during office hours or email me to set up an
appointment.
Essays are to be typed in standard 12-point font, double-spaced and
stapled. Follow MLA guidelines for citation (see the Prentice Hall
Reference Guide). Number pages, and include your name, my name, the
date and a title for your essay on the first page.
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The first draft of your paper (5-7 pages) is due Thursday, October
11th. Please bring three copies of your paper to class for peer
review.
The final draft of your paper (5-7 pages) is due Monday, October 18th.