Unit 4: Resource
Management
This unit is cross-curricular and the
major assignment will be counted for
Global History as well
Assignment Description
Page
Date
Value
Mark
Assignment 1 - Globalization
Part A: Globalization/Everyday Products
Part B: Multinational Corporations
Academic Only: Case Study Assignment
5
5
6
/60
/20
/40
/10
Assignment 2 - Consumerism and Resource
The Story of Stuff
Task 1
Task 2
8
9
/ 40 /20
/ 60 /20
Assignment 3 – Resource Management
Resource Study
13
/ 50
/30
240 / 130
Final Assignment Mark
/20
Unit Value: 15 points
Name:________________________________________________________
Date Started: ________________Date Completed ____________________
Global Geography
Waterfront (NSCC)
UNIT 4 – RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
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Unit Description
Learners will choose one of the following resources: coffee, sugar,
water, oil, cocoa, or cod and watch films and read relevant materials
about the selected resource(s). Your instructor will help you find materials.
Also, go to the library and ask for help there.
Note: this unit can count for Global History – Unit 4
Each assignment must include:
An outline or plan of your work – show this or to instructor or discuss your plan before
you start assignment to ensure you understand what you are being asked.
Outcomes
Shared Outcome:
Graduate and Academic learners will:
1) Analyze factors that affect the global production, distribution and consumption of
resources e.g. food, water, oil
2) Gather data on contemporary global patterns of production, distribution and
consumption of resourced
3) Analyze resource management issues by manipulating data using technology (e.g.
GIS, spreadsheets, web-browsers, and presentation software)
4) Interpret the effects of global production, distribution and consumption of
resources on Quality of Life throughout the world through a case study approach
5) Describe how occupations (NSCC courses) apply knowledge of GIS technology
Academic Outcomes – In addition to the above, adult learners will:
 Predict at least two plausible future scenarios where “Northern” countries might
conflict over access to a resource or commodity (e.g. water, oil, carbon credits,
sugar, corn etc.). Identify the countries in conflict. Explain the historical
background leading to this conflict. Describe alternatives for the resource in
question
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Assignments
Assignment 1 Cross curricular with history
(Unit 4)
 Graduate – 5
 Academic – 7 + 1 case study/article
analysis
Assignment 2
 Graduate – 2
 Academic – 3
 Cross curricular with history (Unit 3)
Assignment 3
 Graduate – 1
 Academic – 2 + 2 predictions
 Cross curricular with history (Unit 3)
Assignment Totals
Graduate = 7
Academic = 13
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Assignment 1
Part A: Globalization and
Everyday Products
This is a cross-curricular assignment with history
To help us understand how we are all part of the global village, conduct a survey of at
least 15 articles in your home that were manufactured in other countries.
 On map provided, demonstrate interdependence by connecting lines between
Nova Scotia and the countries that manufactured the items.
 Make a list of the items, where they were made, label the countries, and state
where the majority of the products were produced. Make sure you title your
map.
 Which item would you find it impossible to live without and why? Do you think
it is important to buy locally? Explain your answer.
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Part B: Globalization and
Business Ethics
Note: This is a cross-curricular assignment and can be used for
global history as well.
Part A: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Number each and
double space between them.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What is a multinational corporation?
What is GNP? (1 marks)
What is GNH? (1 marks)
Should GNH matter? Explain. (3 marks)
What country has the highest GNP? (1 mark)
What country has the lowest GNP? (1 mark)
What country has the highest GNH? (1 mark)
Where does Canada fit in these statistics? (2 marks)
Part B: All students choose three/five of the following companies. Then answer the
questions that follow for each company. You may do a PowerPoint, a poster or a write
up for this assignment. If you take History and Geography, do all questions. If you take
one and not the other, omit the questions for the course you do not take.
1. Amplats
2. Exxon Mobil
3. Wal-Mart
4. Chevron
5. Toyota
6. General Electric
7. RIM
8. China National Petroleum
9. Volkswagen
10.General Motors
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11.Samsung
12.Apple
13.Nestle
14.Procter and Gamble
15.Barrick Gold
16.Delrand Resources
17.Coca Cola
18.Pepsi
19.McDonalds
20.Starbucks
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Both History and Geography (10 marks)
1. What does the company do?
2. Where is the head office? In what country(ies) does it manufacture its product or
provide its service?
3. What resources does this company use?
4. What other companies does it own?
5. Does this company contribute to Gross National Happiness? Explain why or why
not?
6. Knowing what you know about the companies you have studied, will you continue
to use their product(s) or service(s)? Why or why not?
History Questions: (10 marks)
7. What newsworthy events (war, strike, protest) have involved this company in the
past?
8. What efforts have been made by the UN or other “watchdog” organizations to
change the company’s behaviour?
Geography Questions: (10 marks)
1. Geography students will have to provide a world map showing the head office
and the countries where each company is located.
2. Does this company protect the environment? If not, describe how is it affecting
the environment?
Part C: Case Study
Academic learners will prepare and present one political, economic or social case
study/article about resources and incorporate, in this presentation, technology,
networking tools, well-crafted supporting handouts and peer evaluations.
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Resources:
http://www.globalissues.org/article/55/corporations-and-the-environment
http://www.globalissues.org/article/51/corporations-and-human-rights
Giving up growth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UlJvG7okM&feature=player_embedded and Gross National Happiness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zqdqa4YNvI
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2009/snapshots/6388.html
http://corpwatch.org/article.php?list=type&type=166
http://www.corporateknights.ca/
http://business-ethics.com/
http://www.ethicalconsumer.ca/
http://multinationalmonitor.org/
http://ethisphere.com/wme2010/
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Assignment 2
The Story of Stuff
(See Unit 3 Global History)
ALL STUDENTS must do Task 1 – The Story of Stuff.
For Task 2, graduate students choose one option; academic students do
two. Academic Outcome: Academic learners prepare and present one economic
interdependence option from Assignment 2. In this presentation, include technology,
networking tools, well-crafted supporting handouts, and peer evaluations. Make sure
you clearly show why your selected topic is an example of economic interdependence.
Task 1: The Story of Stuff Go to The Story of Stuff site
http://www.storyofstuff.com/ and watch the 20 minute video.
This is a fast-paced look at our production and consumption
patterns so you may have to watch it a couple of times and
take notes. After you have watched it, answer the following:
History and Geography Questions (20 marks):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1
/16/The_Story_of_Stuff.jpg
What did you learn that you didn’t know before? (2)
What information was the most disturbing you? (2)
What positive, if any, information came from the documentary? (2)
What will you do about what you have learned? (2)
Write a short biography of Annie Leonard. Who is she? How did she get her
start? (4)
Geography Specific Questions: (10 marks)
1. How does this film explain interdependence and interconnectedness. (5)
2. What Commoner’s Laws are violated by the current state of electronics
production? (5)
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History Specific Questions (10 marks)
1. Define ten of the following terms – you will have to look these up in various sources.
Write the definition in a short sentence using YOUR OWN WORDS. Site your
sources. (10)
1. World Bank
2. IMF
3. WTO
4. Free trade
5. NAFTA
6. Tariff
7. Subsidy
8. Structural Adjustment
9. Foreign exchange
10.Transnational company/ multinational
11.Regional Integration
12.Trade Blocs
13.GATT
14.Protectionism
15.EU
Task 2 – Graduate students, choose one of the other films on the Story of Stuff site
(The Story of Electronics, The Story of Cosmetics or The Story of Bottled Water) or
research the additional choices that follow. Academic students, choose two –While
you watch the films, notice the FAQs that frequently come up. Read the information
provided.
Option 1: Watch The Story of Electronics, answer the following questions: (20)
1. What is Moore’s Law? How has it been altered? Who has altered it? What are
the effects of the changes to it? (4)
2. What was this short documentary all about? (4)
3. What did you learn from it? What surprised/shocked you? (2)
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4. Research:
 Does Canada have a “product take back” policy? Does it have a name?
Describe it. (1)
 Does HRM? Does it have a name? Describe it. (1)
 What are two websites that would give consumers tools to find green
electronics? (1)
 Find three companies that produce green electronics (1.5)
5. What are two benefits of changing the way we buy electronics? Explain. (2)
6. What are three consumer tips on how to buy green electronics? (1.5)
7. What will you do personally to improve your electronics awareness? (2)
Option 2: Watch THE STORY OF COSMETICS answer the following questions: (20)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What was this short documentary all about? (4)
What information does the website safecosmetics.org/toxictub? (1)
What is pinkwashing? (2)
Why do companies put so many chemicals in cosmetics? (2)
What do you think about the argument that low toxic doses are okay? (2)
After watching this documentary, would you work in a salon? Yes or No? Explain.
(2)
7. What did you learn from the documentary? What surprised/shocked you? What
positive information came from it? (3)
8. Research: Does Canada have any regulations about labeling cosmetic
ingredients? (2)
9. What will you do to improve your cosmetic awareness? (2)
Option 3: Watch THE STORY OF BOTTLED WATER answer the following questions: (20)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What was this short documentary all about? (4)
Is bottled water cleaner than tap water? (1)
Is bottled water tastier than tap water? (1)
Why did we start to buy our water in bottles? (2)
What is manufactured demand? (1)
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6. Is bottled water any different than tap water? (1)
7. What do you think of Nestle’s claim that bottled water is the most
environmentally responsible product in the world? What is the reality? (2)
8. What happens to all the bottles? (2)
9. What is offsetting? (2)
10. Is the situation changing? What have you noticed? (2)
11. What will you do to improve your bottled water awareness? (2)
Option 4: Global Protests Following the 2008 Financial Crisis
Go to “Protests Due to the Global Financial Crisis”
http://www.globalissues.org/article/45/public-protests-around-the-world
1. Give a brief overview of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. A timeline would be a
good idea. Maps might help. See http://www.globalissues.org/article/768/global-financialcrisis#Acrisissoseveretheworldfinancialsystemisaffected for more information or see
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/meltdown/
2. Then, using the Global Issues site on protests,
http://www.globalissues.org/article/45/public-protests-around-the-world#, scroll down to
“Protests Have Occurred All Around the World”. Choose two (2) countries where
significant protests have occurred over the last 10+ years. Describe the protest.
Remember to use the 5W’s and H approach to your investigation. For example:
Where did this happen? When did it happen? Who was involved? How many
people were involved? Why did it happen? What was it all about? What changes
occurred because of it?
Option 5 – Population Growth, Economics and Sustainability
1.
Watch the 7 minute movie – The Miniature Earth (2010) version http://www.miniature-earth.com/ and summarize it. What information did you
find to be the most surprising? Disturbing?
2.
Define sustainability.
3.
What are the global economic implications of our growing population?
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4.
Based on what you have seen in this movie and further investigation into
population growth, answer the following questions in a short paragraph:
a.
The UN estimates that the world population will be over 10 billion by 2100. How
might your life or your children’s lives be different if this is true? What
advancements do you think would have to be made in education, medicine,
environmental issues, and food and water supply to support a global community
of 10 billion people? What about 15.8 billion? Write a one page reflection of
your life in 2100. Brainstorm this first and hand it in with your paper.
b.
What suggestions do you have to slow population growth in less developed
nations?
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Assignment 3
Study of Specific Resource(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Choose the resource you are going to research.
Watch film(s) and read articles to do your research.
Answer the questions below.
Remember to document and cite your sources. IF YOU DO NOT CITE YOUR
SOURCES, YOUR WORK WILL NOT BE MARKED.
Questions:
1. WHAT is your resource? Describe what it is, what it looks like, etc. What is it
used for? (3)
2. WHO discovered it? (1)
3. WHERE was it discovered? Where is it found now? (2)
4. WHEN was it discovered? Describe the history of how humans came to be
involved with or started using this resource. (3)
5. WHAT is the current state of this resource? HOW plentiful is it? If it is not, why
isn’t it? (As a supplement to this question, you may get a map from your
instructor and show the resource on this map.) (3)
6. WHY did this resource become popular? Who used it? What was the relationship
of this resource to society’s wealthy classes, middle classes and poorer classes?
How was this resource connected to colonialism? (4)
7. What were some conflicts associated with this resource throughout history? Did
this resource lead to any wars, revolutions, etc.? (4)
8. What are the future prospects for this resource? For examine, is this resource
sustainable? (2)
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9. Is there anything an individual can do to change the current situation with this
resource? Make some recommendations. (3)
10.Recommend at least five research sources that students can use if they are
interested in learning more about this resource. (5)
11.In addition to the above, academic learners will be asked to prepare and present
their findings of his/her study and predict at least two plausible future scenarios
where “Northern” countries have recently or might in the near future, conflict
over access to a resource or commodity (e.g. water, oil, carbon credits, sugar,
corn etc.).
 Identify the countries involved
 Explain the historical background leading to this conflict
 Describe alternatives for the resource in question (20)
Resources
These are suggested resources. You may use any approved resource. You should use at
least three resources.
The Assignment:
Choose one resource to investigate. Select at least THREE resources. In addition to
video sources, you must use resources that provide factual information about your
topic. All sources must be cited correctly.
Coffee
Black Coffee Episode 1 – 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXu4nVTG44&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjwkaMXI0k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClwYAV36TUY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqbRnWafkno&feature=related
Coltan
Blood Coltan http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4473700036349997790#
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Congo’s Bloody Coltan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OWj1ZGn4uM
Fairphone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edLqIAs5YXM
Sugar
Big Sugar - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/big-sugar/
The Price of Sugar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp_EkCesIp8
Oil
Poison Fire - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/poison-fire/
Freedom Fuels - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/freedom-fuels/
Fuel - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/fuel/
Gashole - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/gashole/
Water
Blue Gold – World Water Wars - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/blue-gold-worldwater-wars/
The World without Water - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-world-without-water/
Flow – For Love of Water - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/flow-for-love-of-water/
Cocoa
The Dark Side of Chocolate - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/dark-side-chocolate/
The Great African Scandal - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6756318286045228473#
The History of Chocolate - http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-history-of-chocolate/
Cod
The Cod Wars Parts 1 to 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkZqi1wigEk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_RBUyouiSU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEiMDdxtSeA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tttTdVn-Bg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-33EKAcp-A&feature=related
World without Fish – Save Ocean Predators – Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1GX0HVh6MM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TJFDN0TQo4
Other suggestions: diamonds, coltan, natural gas
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