Video/Reading Activity - Globalization and Bangladesh

This is long activity for intermediate and advanced students. It includes reading, listening, and writing elements. It will take you at least two hours (if not more!). However, try to complete all the steps and you will have a wonderful essay, some important new vocabulary, and a lot more knowledge on the subject!

1. Read about globalization at the website below. There are 5 pages in this look at globalization. Pay particular attention to the last two pages, the pros and cons.:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/globalisation/globalisation_rev1.shtml
• optional: watch this youtube video:

2. Read the following article about a recent tragedy in Bangladesh:

"Building collapse in Bangladesh leaves scores dead" - the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/world/asia/bangladesh-building-collapse.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

3. Answer the questions about the New York Times article (the questions come in order)

• Why did the building collapse? 
• What was the previous incident the article refers to? 
• Could the deaths in this particular case have been avoided?
• What was the factory producing?
• Who has the real power to prevent this type of thing? How?
• Why don’t they raise wages, according to factory owners?
• What do they mean by the “opacity of the global supply chain”?

4. Watch these two short videos about the incident:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22305064
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22303266

5. Writing

• The events in Bangladesh are clearly a tragedy. Think about the information in this assignment’s reading and video about both globalization and the building collapse in Bangladesh. Use new vocabulary and ideas you have discovered in the material.
• Write an argumentative essay that answers the following question: In a globalized world, who is responsible for preventing tragedies like the one in Bangladesh and how? (companies, governments, consumers, retailers, etc). You may choose to introduce your essay with a discussion of globalization as it relates to the garment industry in Bangladesh.

Further reading:
The article below presents a nice, short argumentation against unethical practices in the garment industry of Bangladesh:
http://www.thenation.com/article/174109/case-ethical-fashion