English 1A
Seminar #7

Note: Your seminar grade will be determined by the quantity of your responses (how many questions you answer and how many other students you respond to) and the quality (how well you demonstrate an understanding of the ideas you're responding to, how detailed your responses are, how coherent and in-depth they are, etc.)

Directions:

1. Read Fast Food Nation, pages 224-end

2. Choose one of the two questions below and respond with 3-5 paragraphs. Include quotes and/or specific references to the text to back up your responses. No matter what question you choose, make sure one of your paragraphs discusses whether you agree with Schlosser’s assessments and claims, and why you agree or disagree.

• In Chapter 10, "Global Realization", Schlosser discusses the effects of the global exporting of American culture. What does he mean when he writes "The values, tastes and industrial practices of the American fast food industry are being exported to every corner of the globe, helping to crate a homogenized international culture than sociologist Benjamin R. Barber has labeled 'McWorld.'" What are some of the factors that influenced the rise of "McWorld"? What are the results of this homogenized international culture, and why does Schlosser feel it's a problem? How have some of the members of other cultures tried to combat the threat of a "McWorld"?
• In the Epilogue, Schlosser discusses some of the ways in which we can create sustainable and humane fast food enterprises. What must happen to address the conditions he decries in this book? What must the government do? The corporations? The consumers?

3. Save your work as a .doc or .rtf document and submit your response to the Assignment Chamber by midnight on Monday, April 14.

4. Post your responses to the appropriate forum by midnight on Monday, April 14.

5. Read all the other students' posts throughout the seminar period.

6. Respond to at least two other student's post (more is better). You will have until midnight, Sunday, April 20 to read and respond to the other students' ideas in the website.