BibliotherapyBibliotherapy

SPED 620SPED 620

Natascha JassirNatascha Jassir

The CorporationThe CorporationMark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, & Joel BakanMark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, & Joel Bakan

OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE To identify ethical issues arising from To identify ethical issues arising from

business, its regulations and business, its regulations and environment.environment.

To provide the conceptual frameworks for To provide the conceptual frameworks for analysing these issues. analysing these issues.

To encourage students to be open to new To encourage students to be open to new ideas, to develop original solutionsideas, to develop original solutions and to and to think as globalize manager or business-think as globalize manager or business-personperson..

Grade Level & Grade Level & Time PeriodTime Period

This lesson is developed for high school students This lesson is developed for high school students from 10th to 12th grade or college in Business, from 10th to 12th grade or college in Business, Economics, English, Ethics or Social Studies class. I Economics, English, Ethics or Social Studies class. I will specifically use it in a unit about ethics and will specifically use it in a unit about ethics and globalization I am working on in my business class globalization I am working on in my business class along with the English class teacher. Time would along with the English class teacher. Time would have already been spent developing a sense of have already been spent developing a sense of classroom community so that students would feel classroom community so that students would feel safe discussing their points of view and feelings as safe discussing their points of view and feelings as well as working in small groups.well as working in small groups.

The time period for this particular activity will be The time period for this particular activity will be about a month and a half. The entire unit will take about a month and a half. The entire unit will take approximately 20 periods.approximately 20 periods.

MaterialsMaterials

Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan. (2004). Bakan. (2004). The corporation, CanadaThe corporation, Canada, , A Zetigeist Films Release, 247 CENTRE ST A Zetigeist Films Release, 247 CENTRE ST • 2ND FL • NEW YORK • NY 10013• 2ND FL • NEW YORK • NY 10013

SynopsisSynopsis

THE CORPORATIONTHE CORPORATION explores the nature and spectacular explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time. Footage from pop rise of the dominant institution of our time. Footage from pop culture, advertising, TV news, and corporate propaganda, culture, advertising, TV news, and corporate propaganda, illuminates the corporation's grip on our lives. Taking its legal illuminates the corporation's grip on our lives. Taking its legal status as a "person" to its logical conclusion, the film puts the status as a "person" to its logical conclusion, the film puts the corporation on the psychiatrist's couch to ask "What kind of corporation on the psychiatrist's couch to ask "What kind of person is it?" Provoking, witty, sweepingly informative, The person is it?" Provoking, witty, sweepingly informative, The Corporation includes forty interviews with corporate insiders Corporation includes forty interviews with corporate insiders and critics plus true confessions, case studies and strategies and critics plus true confessions, case studies and strategies for change are revealed behind-the-scenes tensions and for change are revealed behind-the-scenes tensions and influences in several corporate and anti-corporate dramas. influences in several corporate and anti-corporate dramas. Each illuminates an aspect of the corporation’s complex Each illuminates an aspect of the corporation’s complex character. On the other hand, new geographical dimensions character. On the other hand, new geographical dimensions of trade and investment around the world are emerging that of trade and investment around the world are emerging that have to be recognized and cannot be ignored. have to be recognized and cannot be ignored.

Themes/KeyThemes/Key ConceptsConcepts Corporation Corporation Corporate activity Corporate activity Psychopath Psychopath Corporate life Corporate life Corporate Social Corporate Social

Responsibility Responsibility Social progress Social progress

RegulationsRegulations Ethics Ethics Economic and social Economic and social

interdependence interdependence among individuals, among individuals, corporations and corporations and nations nations

Impacts of commercial Impacts of commercial activity on individuals, activity on individuals, communities and the communities and the environment environment

Impacts of Impacts of globalization globalization

IntroductoryIntroductory ActivityActivity

Students divide into pairs, interview each other Students divide into pairs, interview each other regarding their parents businesses, and then regarding their parents businesses, and then introduce their findings to the entire group. introduce their findings to the entire group.

The teacher assigns readings from one or more The teacher assigns readings from one or more articles related to the themes, and discuss new articles related to the themes, and discuss new business terminology in order to set the tone prior business terminology in order to set the tone prior to showing the film. to showing the film.

Te teacher will provide students with an overview Te teacher will provide students with an overview of the activities prior to viewing The Corporation so of the activities prior to viewing The Corporation so that they can understand it.that they can understand it.

¿Questions?¿Questions?

What is the claim or conclusion that the author is What is the claim or conclusion that the author is making?making?

Does the treatment of business reflect society’s Does the treatment of business reflect society’s lack of trust in business and its leaders?lack of trust in business and its leaders?

Does the content of the documentary simply Does the content of the documentary simply “mirror the times”, or the attitudes held towards “mirror the times”, or the attitudes held towards business?business?

Are filmmakers more liberal or radical and thus Are filmmakers more liberal or radical and thus critical of the culture in which business works?critical of the culture in which business works?

Do you think this documentary influence the Do you think this documentary influence the attitudes of people towards business and its attitudes of people towards business and its leaders?leaders?

In one sentence, provide a definition of In one sentence, provide a definition of globalization. globalization.

Why do you think “The Corporation” has struck a Why do you think “The Corporation” has struck a chord with many people?chord with many people?

Apart from the film’s manipulation of the facts Apart from the film’s manipulation of the facts and its deep bias, does it have any other and its deep bias, does it have any other significant failings?significant failings?

According to the film, corporations are by their According to the film, corporations are by their nature nasty and rapacious institutions. Do you nature nasty and rapacious institutions. Do you agree?agree?

What do you think about the claim that What do you think about the claim that corporations control the world -- everything from corporations control the world -- everything from the food we eat to the political process? Explain.the food we eat to the political process? Explain.

Identify two reasons why businesses Identify two reasons why businesses want to target students in schools.want to target students in schools.

The presence of a corporate spy, The presence of a corporate spy, Marc Barry, really astonished me. His Marc Barry, really astonished me. His career could be ruined through his career could be ruined through his appearance in THE CORPORATION. appearance in THE CORPORATION. Why do you think he did it?Why do you think he did it?

Why do the negative depictions of Why do the negative depictions of business continue even with modern business continue even with modern globalize management styles that globalize management styles that favorfavor more participation by managers more participation by managers as coaches and mentors rather than as coaches and mentors rather than as dictators?as dictators?

Follow-up ActivityFollow-up Activity Students will form groups to construct an Students will form groups to construct an

Argument for a Debate following this parameters:Argument for a Debate following this parameters:

In 1 sentence, describe the issue you are In 1 sentence, describe the issue you are debating. Be sure to include your position on the debating. Be sure to include your position on the issue for the purpose of the debate (are you for it issue for the purpose of the debate (are you for it or against it)? Give 3 reasons for your position. It or against it)? Give 3 reasons for your position. It is best to propose or oppose on 3 points (e.g., is best to propose or oppose on 3 points (e.g., political, economic, social, etc.). This means you political, economic, social, etc.). This means you should have 3 reasons for your argumentshould have 3 reasons for your argument how how they can counter the influence this documentary they can counter the influence this documentary is having on society.is having on society.

Thinking Critically ActivitiesThinking Critically Activities: Students will form : Students will form groups of three to analyze the following points, groups of three to analyze the following points, then they will prepare a news release for the rest of then they will prepare a news release for the rest of the group:the group:

Today people can become brands. And brands can Today people can become brands. And brands can build cities. And university students can pay for build cities. And university students can pay for their educations by shilling on national television their educations by shilling on national television for a credit card company. And a corporation even for a credit card company. And a corporation even owns the rights to the popular song “Happy owns the rights to the popular song “Happy Birthday.” How do you feel about this, do you ever Birthday.” How do you feel about this, do you ever get the feeling it’s all a bit much?get the feeling it’s all a bit much?

By contrast, the story of Ray Anderson, the CEO of By contrast, the story of Ray Anderson, the CEO of Interface, is inspiring. Here’s a guy running a Interface, is inspiring. Here’s a guy running a billion-dollar carpet manufacturing company that billion-dollar carpet manufacturing company that has completely changed his mind about a has completely changed his mind about a corporation’s social responsibility. How did you corporation’s social responsibility. How did you respond to his story? Explain your reaction.respond to his story? Explain your reaction.

One of the film’s central assertions is that corporation’s One of the film’s central assertions is that corporation’s directors are legally required to do what is best for the directors are legally required to do what is best for the company regardless of the consequences.  That company regardless of the consequences.  That sounds pretty worrying, doesn’t it? Explain your reaction.sounds pretty worrying, doesn’t it? Explain your reaction.

What do you think of the film’s claim that “The Corporation” What do you think of the film’s claim that “The Corporation” is the prototypical psychopath because of what the producers is the prototypical psychopath because of what the producers suggest is its “callous unconcern for the feelings of others”, suggest is its “callous unconcern for the feelings of others”, “incapacity to maintain enduring relationships”, and “incapacity to maintain enduring relationships”, and “reckless disregard for the safety of others”? Please explain “reckless disregard for the safety of others”? Please explain through examples if possible.through examples if possible.

Research:Research:

Students should visit a business or corporation and choose a Students should visit a business or corporation and choose a topic to analyze (preferably different to the rest). Then they topic to analyze (preferably different to the rest). Then they shall write a letter with recommendations to the business and shall write a letter with recommendations to the business and explain how they can counter the influence this documentary explain how they can counter the influence this documentary is having on society and specially in their business.is having on society and specially in their business.

Understanding “Regulation Understanding “Regulation ofof …..” …..”

Students are required to Students are required to prepare in groups of three, a prepare in groups of three, a comprehensive PowerPoint comprehensive PowerPoint presentation describing and presentation describing and analysing all regulation related analysing all regulation related to one of the following goods to one of the following goods or services:or services:

Their analysis must cover all forms of regulation Their analysis must cover all forms of regulation includingincluding

Government Government Self-regulation Self-regulation Individual firm Individual firm Industry Industry Competition Competition Any other stakeholders Any other stakeholders Social (Interest Groups, NGOs) Social (Interest Groups, NGOs)

Automobile InsuranceAutomobile Insurance ElectricityElectricity Automobile RentalAutomobile Rental GasolineGasoline Health/Fitness Clubs Health/Fitness Clubs Organic FoodsOrganic Foods

The following are the sections that would most The following are the sections that would most likely be included in your paper:likely be included in your paper:

*A definition/description of the good or service *A definition/description of the good or service *A description of the regulation. Some supporting *A description of the regulation. Some supporting materials maybe included as appendices; other materials maybe included as appendices; other materials maybe only referenced. materials maybe only referenced. *Identify and describe the issues related to the *Identify and describe the issues related to the regulation. regulation. *Outline advice to managers in coping with *Outline advice to managers in coping with and/or managing the regulation.  Include a one and/or managing the regulation.  Include a one page “checklist” for managers. page “checklist” for managers. *A conclusion section. *A conclusion section.

BibliographyBibliography

Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan. Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan. (2004). (2004). The corporation film, CanadaThe corporation film, Canada, A Zetigeist , A Zetigeist Films Release, 247 CENTRE ST • 2ND FL • NEW Films Release, 247 CENTRE ST • 2ND FL • NEW YORK • NY 10013YORK • NY 10013

The corporationThe corporation. Educational free teachers . Educational free teachers resource. resource. Retrieved February 26, 2005, from Retrieved February 26, 2005, from http:// http:// www.thecorporation.comwww.thecorporation.com /index.php? /index.php?page_id=51page_id=51

http://tvo.orghttp://tvo.org http://nologo.orghttp://nologo.org http://www.globalisationguide.orghttp://www.globalisationguide.org