Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Wal-Mart is a ubiquitous and controversial presence in American consumer-culture. Though many decry the retail giant for its labor practices and believe it has played a significant role in loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, many of us continue to shop there because we want the low prices and convenience it offers. Through interviews with economists, manufacturers, retail industry experts, and business analysts, this program offers an even-handed consideration of how Wal-Mart has affected and been affected by U.S. consumer-culture.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does “the Wal-Mart way” fit into the discussion of McDonaldization? How is it similar? How is it different? How does it complement the theory?
2. Use what is presented in the program to explain the processes of globalization. Be specific and give examples.
3. Can the impact of Wal-Mart on society be described as a social dilemma such as the tragedy of the commons? How or why not?

Chase Bank Reportedly Has Man Jailed Over Check They Issued Him
Ikenna Njoku went to the bank to cash a check but the teller believed that the check was a forgery and called the police. Njoku was taken to jail and remained in jail even after the bank realized its mistake. The errors of judgment made by the bank caused him to lose his vehicle and his job.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does Njoku’s story highlight the power of bureaucracies?
2. Are you surprised that such a “mix up” could occur?
3. The teller made a grievous error and the effects multiplied exponentially with each new person and organization that became involved. Who do you believe is ultimately responsible for the losses Mr. Njoku suffered?
4. What are the difficulties with holding an institution or an individual within an institution accountable for wrong-doing?

Futurama- Bureaucrat’s Song
Hermes sings a song about being a bureaucrat.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are the characteristics of a bureaucrat listed in the song?
2. What is the meaning of the song’s final line? ( “When push comes to shove you gotta do what you love even if it’s not a good idea.)
3. What is being satirized in the song? Is it the individual bureaucrat? Or the bureaucratic structure? Explain your answer.

Inside Small Schools
Adlai E. Stevenson High School in The Bronx was once a dangerous school that had poor performance ratings. In an effort to improve student safety and educational outcomes, the school was divided into 9 “small schools” that would be more flexible and allow more personal interactions between educators, administrators, and students. This New York Times video examines the successes and failures of this “small schools” experiment.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are some of the problems with large public schools?
2. Would you classify this “small schools” project as largely a success or a failure? Explain your answer.

The Legacy of Tailhook
This New York Times video revisits 1991’s Tailhook scandal, an incident that drew attention to the little-discussed problem of sexual assault in the U.S. Navy. It provides a look at how the Navy responded to allegations of sexual assault at the time and how things have (and have not) changed since then.

Questions to Consider:

1. What role did the structure of the Navy play in the Tailhook incident and how the allegations were addressed? What role did culture play?
2. How have things changed since 1991?