Describe two cultures or subcultures that are represented in the film.

 Describe two cultures or subcultures that are represented in the film.

Required Resources
MindEdge: See attached PDF. All sections that are required are highlighted yellow.
Economics and Anthropology 4.05
Consumption 4.11
Industrialization, Globalization, and the Global Environment 4.18–4.19

Article: Building Collapse in Bangladesh Leaves Scores Dead
This article describes the larger debate around sweatshops following a building collapse in Bangladesh in April 2013.

Article: Here’s How the Cambodians Who Stitch Your Clothes Are Routinely Abused
Based on a report from the organization Human Rights Watch, this article describes worker abuse in Cambodian sweatshops.

Video: Three Reasons Sweatshops Are Good for the Poor (cc) (5:12)
In this video, Matt Zwolinski explains three reasons why sweatshops are not as bad for workers as we may think.

Article: Two cheers for sweatshops
In this New York Times Magazine article, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn suggest that sweatshops contributed significantly to the revival of the Asian economy.

Part One: 4-1 Discussion: Debate—Opportunity or Oppression?

As you learned in Module Four, industrialization is the process in which a society or country transforms itself from a primarily agriculture-based society into one based on the manufacturing of goods and services. Globalization reflects how the world economies are becoming more connected.

Industrialization and globalization are driving the production and consumption of cheap goods. Anthropologists can examine how cultures both influence and are influenced by industrialization and globalization. As evident in the assigned articles and video, industrialization and globalization can separate the contexts of consumption and production. Western countries as mass consumers are shielded from the circumstances of the producers in less developed countries, such as worker exploitation and changes in social structures.

In this discussion, you will examine the effects of industrialization and globalization through an anthropologist’s lens using the concept of cultural relativism, which was first introduced in Module One. The discussion will take the form of a debate in which you will examine sweatshops—places where garments are made quite cheaply, usually in less developed countries—as either places that offer valuable opportunities to workers or places that oppress workers.

After reading and watching the required resources, you will craft an argument in support of the position assigned to you according to the first letter of your last name.

Assigned Position for Debate: Sweatshops oppress workers (This is the position that I have been assigned for the debate)

In your initial post, be sure to cover the following:

– Explain how industrialization and globalization—including technological innovation—contribute to the existence of sweatshops.

– Defend your assigned position, citing specific information from the provided resources.

 

– Use clear statements as to how cultural relativism influences your position.

Part Two: Milestone 2

Prompt: In this milestone, you will work on Section III: Culture of your final project. This milestone will help you identify and describe the cultures and subcultures represented by the characters in your film and also identify some observed cultural norms and values of those cultures and subcultures. You will also describe a single scene from your film in which differences (or conflict) exist and can be observed between the characters in order to explain how culture influences their interaction. Be sure to review the Module Two MindEdge materials (specifically 2.05 and 2.07) to review the concepts of culture, subculture, as well as cultural norms and values. Remember that cultural relativism is required throughout your final project, so you should adhere to cultural relativism in this assignment as well.

Be sure that your submission includes the following critical elements:

I. Represented Cultures: Describe two cultures or subcultures that are represented in the film. Include details to support your description of the cultures or subcultures. Remember that a subculture is a smaller group with unique, shared norms and values within a larger culture.

II. Cultural Norms and Values: Identify the cultural norms and values that you observed for each culture or subculture, being sure to provide examples from the film to support your identification.

III. Cultural Comparisons: Explain the similarities and differences that you observed between these cultures or subcultures. IV. Cultural Difference: Describe a scene in which a cultural difference exists between characters and explain how that cultural difference affected their interaction.

V. Cultural Relativism: Practice the principles of cultural relativism throughout the discussions of cultures and subcultures, cultural values and norms, the cultural comparisons, and the cultural differences present in the film.

Note: This milestone is not set up exactly like the final project. You will need to review the criteria for the final project as you work through the course and revise and build off your milestones to have a complete final project in Module Seven.

Guidelines for Submission: Your paper should be submitted as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Follow the most current APA guidelines to cite your film, the MindEdge resource, and any additional resources.

Part Three: 2 Peer Responses (2-3 paragraph response) I will share the peer posts on tomorrow.

Peer Response Guidance: Now, argue the other side by responding to the initial posts of at least two of your peers who were assigned the same position as yours. In your peer responses, however, you will argue the opposite position (sweatshops offer opportunities for workers) from that of your initial post. For example, if you were assigned the position that sweatshops offer opportunities for workers, then that is the position you would take in your initial post; in your peer responses, you would argue that sweatshops oppress workers. As with all classroom debates, everyone loves a good argument. But remember to be respectful; it is only a discussion.