GEOP809-Globalisation and Sustainable Development

Assessment task

“The  power  of  global  capitalism  has  reshaped  our  world.  It  has  enabled  unprecedented levels of wealth and prosperity in the developed world. But this has come at the expense of environmental health, as we exploit planet’s resources beyond sustainable levels, and at the expense of prosperity in the developing world.”

Choosing one of the case studies given below, explore these assertions giving particular consideration to:

1.How global capitalism, prosperity, environmental health, resource exploitation, and sustainability are relevant to the particular case study

2.How the assertion that prosperity comes at the cost of the environment relates to this case and why

3.Whether  alternative  views  of  the  economy  and  nature  (explored  in  Module  2)  are useful in examining this case study, and how

4.What action is being taken by/on/for the actors within this case study to address the problems  associated  with  globalisation  and  sustainable  development  (drawing  on material covered in Module 3)

Explanation

In this assignment you are asked to write a research essay that explores the problem of prosperity versus the environment in relation to a particular case study.

Choosing the case study: the range of case studies is intended to allow you to select a topic that  interests  you  and  have  the  opportunity  to  explore  it  in  more  depth.  It  is  to  your advantage to choose your case study early. You can discuss your choice with Sara if you would like guidance.

Doing the research: It is not expected that you will undertake primary research for this essay (i.e. interviews, surveys and the like). You should rely on secondary data sources, starting with the weekly required reading and the suggestions provided below (available via searching the library MultiSearch) and expanding from there. If you are having any difficulties finding appropriate materials you should speak to Sara about it immediately.

Writing the essay: some material on writing essays will be covered during the teaching sessions (and posted online for external students). The central consideration will be that the  essay  presents  a  reasoned  argument  that  draws  on  case  material  to  support  and illustrate key points.

a particular food chain (examples: milk and dairy products; confectionary; poultry; wine production; brewing; tomato processing; food grains such as rice or wheat; fresh fruits such as bananas or citrus; fast foods; health foods; organic food and so on)

or:

a particular  food  company  and  how  it   is   shaping  food  production   (examples: Monsanto in seed production and GMO, Goodman Fielder in poultry, baking, general foods;  Fosters  Group  in  wine  and  brewing;  Fonterra  in  dairy;  Nestlé  and  Unilever, among the world’s largest diversified food and beverage groups; Cadbury-Schweppes in confectionary/soft drinks; ConAgra in meats and commodity trade).

Case Study 1: Food Production and Industrial Agriculture

Case Study 2: Ecovillages

You can focus on either:

A particular ecovillage (such as the Findhorn in Scotland or Christie Walk in Adelaide)

or:

The ecovillages movement in general (looking for example at the Global Ecovillage

Case Study 3: NGOs

A particular NGO (which could be a local or international NGO, dealing with issues of environmental or social sustainability