Fast Fashion
Name two countries that take part in the fast fashion industry.
Possible answers: United States, Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, India
What country is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic games?
France
What are sanctions defined as in the context of international relations?
Economic penalties
In which continent is the Panama Canal located?
North America
Name two Avengers characters and their superpowers.
Answers will vary
Name one negative impact of fast fashion on the environment.
Possible answers:
- Manufacturing garments with toxic chemicals
- Fuel burned to transport the clothing around the globe
- Millions of tons of discarded clothing pile up in landfills each year
How does the Olympics promote cultural exchange and unity among athletes?
Possible answers:
- The Olympics bring together athletes from diverse backgrounds, fostering mutual understanding and respect across borders
- The Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony showcases the wide variety of cultures and traditions represented at the Olympics, celebrating diversity and inclusivity on a global scale.
Name example of a modern-day sanction. (Could be real or made-up)
Possible answer:
U.S. putting a ban on Russian oil
Why was the Panama Canal built?
Possible answer:
To create a shortcut for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
What country created Super Mario games and the characters?
AND
Name Mario's brother in the Super Mario games.
Japan
AND
Luigi
Identify one way in which fast fashion contributes to poor working conditions for garment workers.
Possible answers:
- Building collapse
- Factory fire
- Poorly ventilated rooms that are thick with fumes from the chemicals used to manufacture and dye clothes
- Risk getting fired if miss a day of work
Explain how the Olympics can exemplify the harmful consequences of globalization in sports?
Possible answers:
- Commercialization/inequality -> Widened the gap between wealthy and poorer nations. Wealthy countries often have better resources and training facilities, giving their athletes a competitive advantage over those from poorer nations
- Exploitation -> Emphasis on winning at all costs can support a culture of exploitation and pressure, particularly among young athletes. Athletes may face intense pressure to perform, leading to issues like doping scandals, eating disorders, and mental health struggles.
- Ethical concerns -> Selection process for hosting the Olympics often raises questions about human rights abuses, displacement of communities, and environmental destruction, highlighting the ethical dilemmas associated with mega-sporting events
Explain how sanctions can influence the behavior of a targeted country.
Possible answer:
Sanctions are like punishments countries use to make other countries change their behavior. They can stop trade, make it harder for the government to talk to other countries, and cause problems inside the country, like protests or shortages of things people need.
What are the benefits of high-speed trains compared to traditional railway systems?
Possible answers:
- Faster/more direct (180mph or faster)
- Most high-speed trains run on electric power so don't use motor fuel = clean energy source, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- Can be less expensive when travelling the same distance
- Better accommodations
How did globalization play a role in the production, advertisement, and/or distribution of the Avengers movies?
Possible answers:
- Global production (cast and crew from different countries around the world contributing to same product)
- Countdown to Avengers movie release projected on world's tallest building in Dubai
- Movie premieres in multiple countries around the world
- Diversity of characters in movies/representation of multiple cultures
- First film in history to surpass $1 billion in its opening weekend
How does fast fashion lead to excessive consumption?
Possible answers:
- Trendy clothes that are designed and manufactured as quickly as possible, then sold to consumers at extremely low prices
- They cost so little that many people can afford to fill their closets with new outfits several times a year—then toss them the minute they go out of style
Explain how the Olympics serve as a platform for diplomacy and international relations.
Possible answer:
2018 PyeongChang Olympics showcased a historic moment of unity between North and South Korea, as they marched together under a unified flag. This event, amid heightened tensions arising from decades of division and conflict, provided a rare opportunity for the two Koreas to set aside their differences and come together on the world stage. Through sports diplomacy, the Olympics symbolized a significant breakthrough in peace-building efforts on the Korean Peninsula, offering hope for reconciliation and a path towards a more peaceful future.
Discuss one potential benefit and one potential consequence of imposing sanctions on a country.
Possible answers:
- Benefit = Reduces reliance on foreign resources, makes a country more self-reliant; less issues to encounter with supply chain if utilizing local resources
- Consequence = Can make life harder for regular people in that country by causing shortages of food, medicine, and other important things they need to live; can limit the resources available to a nation; hurt economy of other country they are no longer trading with/weaken international relations
How have (high speed) trains impacted cultural exchange, global trade, and/or travel?
Possible answers:
- Better for environment than air travel
- Occasionally more affordable alternative to air travel
- Exposure to more diverse culture
- Transport larger quantities of goods faster and at one time
- Connects major cities from different countries
Explain how Super Mario represents globalization.
Possible answers:
- Games/characters created by Japan, but known and enjoyed by people all over the world
- Made by Japan, but main character embodies an Italian American individual
- Main characters (Mario and Luigi) and humanized, easy to support, represent fun and joy
- Games have been around for a long time so connect with people of all ages
- Characters used in movies and merchandise
Explain how fast fashion affects local small businesses.
Possible answers:
- People are more inclined to shop at popular clothing stores (ex. H&M and Zara) to fit in with peers
- Buying from stores supporting fast fashion industry is cheaper than buying from local small businesses
How has the globalization of the Olympics impacted the host cities economically?
Possible answers:
- Revitalize the country's reputation in terms of tourism (desirable to travel to for games as well as different times of the year)
- Makes country look modern, vibrant, and appealing to people around globe
- Boosts economy through increased activity hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, transportation services)
How can countries work together to address global issues without resorting to sanctions?
Possible answers:
- Countries can collaborate by signing agreements and treaties to solve global problems, like climate change, by setting goals and working together to reduce pollution and protect the environment
- Countries can provide aid and support to countries in need during crises, like natural disasters or health emergencies, by sending resources and expertise to help those affected without punishing them
- Countries can engage in diplomatic negotiations and dialogue to resolve conflicts peacefully, promoting understanding and compromise rather than imposing penalties like sanctions
How have planes impacted cultural exchange, global trade, and/or travel?
Possible answers:
- Reduce time of travel
- Encouraged/allowed more people to travel farther
- Exposure to more diverse culture
- Reduce cost of shipping goods
- Transport larger quantities of goods faster and at one time
What is a downside to cultural globalization?
Possible answers:
- Global cultural dominance (local culture is swallowed up/overshadowed by popular culture)
- Objects and ideas that get distributed are not distributed on an equal playing field
- Political and economic benefits are not equally distributed around the world (ex. Japan already has a dominant capitalist economy)