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Environmental science requires an understanding of the interconnectedness of natural and human systems. The Corporation addresses a variety of cultural and social contexts associated with environmental problems stemming from corporate and commercial activity. The film provides a number of case examples of relevant, controversial issues including the environmental costs of economic growth, one-sided indicators of progress, and privatization of natural resources. |
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| 1 |
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| Investigate some alternative measures for prosperity such as the Human Development Index (HDI), or the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), sometimes called the Genuine Progress Indicator (GDI). Based on the themes and issues addressed in The Corporation, what indicators would you suggest as alternatives to the GDP? Do the alternative measures you investigated sufficiently address the social and environmental issues we face? If not, what kinds of alternative ways of organizing economic and social systems might address the impact of corporations on the environment? |
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| Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
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Case Histories: |
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| 5 |
1. Harm to Workers: Sweatshops |
10:18:08:23 |
| 5 |
2. Harm To Human Health: Synthetic Chemicals |
10:24:52:19 |
| 5 |
3. Harm to Animals: rBGH=RBST=Posilac |
10:29:06:00 |
| 5 |
4. Harm to Biosphere: Corporate Paradigm |
10:33:16:12 |
| 8 |
Mindset |
10:46:52:15 |
| 18 |
Expansion Plan |
12:16:08:01 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:42:55:01 |
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| 2 |
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| In The Corporation, those in favor of privatizing natural resources suggest that private ownership leads to stewardship over resources because of the value associated with ownership and sale of them. This, they argue, will lead to greater conservation efforts that are better for the environment. How would you respond to this line of reason? Use evidence from the film to support your position. |
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Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
| 10 |
Boundary Issues |
10:56:36:18 |
| 18 |
Expansion Plan |
12:16:08:01 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:51:50:24 |
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| 3 |
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| What does “sustainability” mean? How is the use of the term in The Corporation similar or different from your definition? According to the film, where do personal, corporate, and governmental responsibilities fit into the equation for building a more sustainable world? |
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| Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
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Case Histories: |
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| 5 |
1. Harm to Workers: Sweatshops |
10:18:08:23 |
| 5 |
2. Harm to Human Health: Synthetic Chemicals |
10:24:52:19 |
| 5 |
3. Harm to Animals: rBGH=rBST=Posilac |
10:29:06:00 |
| 5 |
Harm to Biosphere: Corporate Paradigm |
10:33:16:12 |
| 8 |
Mindset |
10:46:52:15 |
| 10 |
Boundary Issues |
10:56:36:18 |
| 18 |
Expansion Plan |
12:16:08:01 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:42:55:01 |
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| 4 |
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| One central theme in The Corporation is the non-financial costs of “prosperity.” At what point does economic growth cost more than it is worth? What are the non-financial costs of economic growth discussed in the film? |
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| Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
|
Case Histories: |
|
| 5 |
1. Harm to Workers: Sweatshops |
10:18:08:23 |
| 5 |
2. Harm to Human Health: Synthetic Chemicals |
10:24:52:19 |
| 5 |
3. Harm to Animals: rBGH=rBST=Posilac |
10:29:06:00 |
| 5 |
Harm to Biosphere: Corporate Paradigm |
10:33:16:12 |
| 8 |
Mindset |
10:46:52:15 |
| 10 |
Boundary Issues |
10:56:36:18 |
| 16 |
Advancing the Front |
12:00:00:00 |
| 18 |
Expansion Plan |
12:16:08:01 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:42:55:01 |
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| 5 |
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| In the film, Interface CEO Ray Anderson says “the notion that we can take and take and take and take, waste and waste, without consequences, is driving the biosphere to destruction” as we are shown pictures of biological and chemical wastes pouring into the atmosphere. He describes businesses as “plunderers” and suggests that someday, such plundering is sure to become illegal. Do you agree with this prediction? What do you think it will take for environmental accountability to be taken more seriously? |
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| Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
| 5 |
Harm to Biosphere: Corporate Paradigm |
10:33:16:12 |
| 8 |
Mindset |
10:46:52:15 |
| 10 |
Boundary Issues |
10:56:36:18 |
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| 6 |
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| How have communities, unions, social movements and/or individuals tried to protect the environment (and themselves) from corporations? What kinds of efforts appear most effective? |
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| Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
| 7 |
Monstrous Obligations |
10:41:19:00 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:40:31:15 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:42:55:01 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:47:06:07 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:49:28:00 |
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| 7 |
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| The Corporation raises questions about patents issued for genetically modified plants and animals, and for human genes and cell lines. According to the film, how did this come about? What are the problems it raises? |
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| Chapter |
Chapter Title |
Scene Reference |
| 16 |
Advancing the Front |
12:00:00:00 |
| 22 |
Psycho Therapies |
12:49:28:00 |
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