Bibliotherapy

1
The Corporation
Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, Joel Bakan
Bibliotherapy SPED 620 Natascha Jassir
2
OBJECTIVE

• To identify ethical issues arising from business,
  its regulations and environment.
• To provide the conceptual frameworks for
  analysing these issues.
• To encourage students to be open to new ideas, to
  develop original solutions and to think as
  globalize manager or business-person.

3
Grade Level Time Period
This lesson is developed for high school
students from 10th to 12th grade or college in
Business, Economics, English, Ethics or Social
Studies class. I will specifically use it in a
unit about ethics and globalization I am working
on in my business class along with the English
class teacher. Time would have already been spent
developing a sense of classroom community so that
students would feel safe discussing their points
of view and feelings as well as working in small
groups. The time period for this particular
activity will be about a month and a half. The
entire unit will take approximately 20 periods.
4
Materials

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

5
Synopsis

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

6
Themes/Key Concepts

• Corporation
• Corporate activity
• Psychopath
• Corporate life
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Social progress

• Regulations
• Ethics
• Economic and social interdependence among
  individuals, corporations and nations
• Impacts of commercial activity on individuals,
  communities and the environment
• Impacts of globalization

7
Introductory Activity

• Students divide into pairs, interview each other
  regarding their parents businesses, and then
  introduce their findings to the entire group.
• The teacher assigns readings from one or more
  articles related to the themes, and discuss new
  business terminology in order to set the tone
  prior to showing the film.
• Te teacher will provide students with an overview
  of the activities prior to viewing The
  Corporation so that they can understand it.

8
Questions?

• What is the claim or conclusion that the author
  is making?
• Does the treatment of business reflect societys
  lack of trust in business and its leaders?
• Does the content of the documentary simply
  mirror the times, or the attitudes held towards
  business?
• Are filmmakers more liberal or radical and thus
  critical of the culture in which business works?
• Do you think this documentary influence the
  attitudes of people towards business and its
  leaders?

9

• In one sentence, provide a definition
  of globalization.
• Why do you think The Corporation has struck a
  chord with many people?
• Apart from the films manipulation of the facts
  and its deep bias, does it have any other
  significant failings?
• According to the film, corporations are by their
  nature nasty and rapacious institutions. Do you
  agree?
• What do you think about the claim that
  corporations control the world -- everything from
  the food we eat to the political process?
  Explain.
• Identify two reasons why businesses
• want to target students in schools.

10

• The presence of a corporate spy, Marc Barry,
  really astonished me. His career could be ruined
  through his appearance in THE CORPORATION. Why do
  you think he did it?
• Why do the negative depictions of business
  continue even with modern globalize management
  styles that favor more participation by managers
  as coaches and mentors rather than as dictators?

11
Follow-up Activity

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

12

• Thinking Critically Activities Students will
  form groups of three to analyze the following
  points, then they will prepare a news release for
  the rest of the group
• Today people can become brands. And brands can
  build cities. And university students can pay for
  their educations by shilling on national
  television for a credit card company. And a
  corporation even owns the rights to the popular
  song Happy Birthday. How do you feel about
  this, do you ever get the feeling its all a bit
  much?
• By contrast, the story of Ray Anderson, the CEO
  of Interface, is inspiring. Heres a guy running
  a billion-dollar carpet manufacturing company
  that has completely changed his mind about a
  corporations social responsibility. How did you
  respond to his story? Explain your reaction.

13

• One of the films central assertions is that
  corporations directors are legally required to
  do what is best for the company
  regardless of the consequences.  That
• sounds pretty worrying, doesnt it? Explain your
  reaction.
• What do you think of the films claim that The
  Corporation is the prototypical psychopath
  because of what the producers suggest is its
  callous unconcern for the feelings of others,
  incapacity to maintain enduring relationships,
  and reckless disregard for the safety of
  others? Please explain through examples if
  possible.
• Research
• Students should visit a business or corporation
  and choose a topic to analyze (preferably
  different to the rest). Then they shall write a
  letter with recommendations to the business and
  explain how they can counter the influence this
  documentary is having on society and specially in
  their business.

14

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

Automobile Insurance Electricity Automobile
Rental Gasoline Health/Fitness Clubs
Organic Foods
Their analysis must cover all forms of regulation
including Government Self-regulation
Individual firm Industry Competition Any
other stakeholders Social (Interest Groups,
NGOs)
15

• The following are the sections that would most
  likely be included in your paper
• A definition/description of the good or service
  
• A description of the regulation. Some
  supporting materials maybe included as
  appendices other materials maybe only
  referenced.
• Identify and describe the issues related to the
  regulation.
• Outline advice to managers in coping with
  and/or managing the regulation.  Include a one
  page checklist for managers.
• A conclusion section.

16
Bibliography

• Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan.
  (2004). The corporation film, Canada, A Zetigeist
  Films Release, 247 CENTRE ST 2ND FL NEW YORK
  NY 10013
• The corporation. Educational free teachers
  resource. Retrieved February 26, 2005, from
  http// www.thecorporation.com /index.php?page_id
  51
• http//tvo.org
• http//nologo.org
• http//www.globalisationguide.org

17
(No Transcript)