Homework Assignments by Due Date:
Due 2/16: Homework #1: ”The Story of Stuff" Film by Annie Leonard
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Due 2/23: Homework #2: The Story of Stuff "Introduction" Questions
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There is no Homework #3!!
Due 2/28: Homework #4: "Discarded Factory" Questions
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Homework #4: “Discarded Factory” Reading Questions
Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences and on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to use pen and label your assignment with your name, course section number and assignment name.
Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences and on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to use pen and label your assignment with your name, course section number and assignment name.
- What does Walter Landor mean when he says: “Products are made in a factory, but brands are made in the mind” (qtd. in Klein 195)? How is selling a brand more important to companies than selling a product?
- According to Klein, why have superbrand companies stopped investing in factories? Include a quote to support your answer.
- How do large corporations use contractors to get around accusations that they mistreat factory workers?
- How does Wall Street reinforce the need to get out of the manufacturing business and focus on brand building? Include a quote to support your answer.
- Why is Levi’s decision to close factories in the US “not a job-flight story” (Klein 201)? Include a quote to support your answer.
- What is an EPZ and how do they operate? Include at least two quotes to support your answer.
- Who is the average EPZ worker and under what conditions does he/she work? Include a quote to support your answer.
- How do “the barriers” around EPZs “reinforce the idea that what is happening inside is only temporary” and why is this important to help nations continue supporting the EPZs?
- Why are most countries that host EPZs not likely to have the same experience as South Korea and Taiwan?
- What are some of the problems the host countries and workers face because of EPZs?
- Why doesn’t the trickle-down theory of EPZs work? Include a quote to support your answer.
- How do EPZs prevent unionization?
- How are rural workers convinced to leave their homes and move to EPZs to work? Do the promises they are made come true?
- How are EPZs particularly prejudicial against women? Include at least one quote to support your answer.
- How do economists and multinational CEOs excuse the horrors of sweatshop labor? Include a quote to support your answer.
Due 3/2: Homework #5 "Threats and Temps" Questions
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English 80: Homework #5 No Logo Chapter 10: “Threats and Temps”
Part One: Vocabulary
Define each word and then use it in a complete sentence that makes it clear that you understand the word’s meaning.
1. Transience 2. Stagnate 3. Paradox 4. Touted
5. Panacea
Part Two: Understanding the Text
Answer each question below in a complete sentence on a separate sheet of paper. Use a direct quote to support each of your answers. Remember to use the quote sandwich method and a proper in-text citation!
1. Why does Klein argue that “[e]very corporation wants a fluid reserve of part-timers” (231)?
2. How has the view of service sector employees as “children” (232) affected job security and wages in the service and retail sectors?
3. How does Klein define a “McJob” (237)?
4. According to Klein, to what “compulsive” act do retailers funnel their profits into if not into their workers (239)?
5. How do corporations fight unionization and why do they fight it so hard?
6. What are some of the lies that Klein outlines that corporations use to maintain their part-timer philosophies and keep wages and hours depressed?
7. What does Klein argue will be the fate of “cultural production” if the trend of unpaid internships continues (246)?
8. How does Klein argue against the glamorization of the “free agent nation” (252)? What people benefit the most from the concept of free agency?
Part One: Vocabulary
Define each word and then use it in a complete sentence that makes it clear that you understand the word’s meaning.
1. Transience 2. Stagnate 3. Paradox 4. Touted
5. Panacea
Part Two: Understanding the Text
Answer each question below in a complete sentence on a separate sheet of paper. Use a direct quote to support each of your answers. Remember to use the quote sandwich method and a proper in-text citation!
1. Why does Klein argue that “[e]very corporation wants a fluid reserve of part-timers” (231)?
2. How has the view of service sector employees as “children” (232) affected job security and wages in the service and retail sectors?
3. How does Klein define a “McJob” (237)?
4. According to Klein, to what “compulsive” act do retailers funnel their profits into if not into their workers (239)?
5. How do corporations fight unionization and why do they fight it so hard?
6. What are some of the lies that Klein outlines that corporations use to maintain their part-timer philosophies and keep wages and hours depressed?
7. What does Klein argue will be the fate of “cultural production” if the trend of unpaid internships continues (246)?
8. How does Klein argue against the glamorization of the “free agent nation” (252)? What people benefit the most from the concept of free agency?
Due 3/7: Homework #7: Consuming Kids Questions
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English 80
Consuming Kids Film Questions
Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences and on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to use pen and label your assignment with your name, course section number and assignment name. When possible, use examples directly from the film.
1. According to the film, how much money do children spend per year?
2. How much money do children influence their parents to spend each year?
3. How does nagging influence parent purchasing?
4. How does child multitasking influence their exposure to marketing?
5. How has the marketing to children evolved over time?
6. At what age are children unable to understand the persuasive intent of marketing?
7. How do marketers exploit children’s emotional attachments to get them to buy things?
8. What is product placement and how does it attempt to influence consumers?
9. How effective do you think media education in schools could be to help children understand the manipulations of advertising?
10. What is your reaction to marketing in schools and field trips to retail stores?
11. How has psychology helped marketers market to children? What examples did the documentary give of how psychology has impacted marketing to children?
12. What is symbolic advertising and how does it sell products to kids? How does this tie to Klein’s discussion of branding or Barber’s arguments about infantilization?
13. How have the costs of products for kids increased over time? What examples did the film give?
14. How has marketing to children changed typical childhood values?
15. How are boys and girls marketed to differently and how does this influence the shaping of children?
16. How has deregulation influenced how children are marketed to and to what they are exposed?
17. What is the concept of “cradle to grave” and how do marketers accomplish this?
18. What is the problem with educational media for young children and how do companies market these to parents?
19. Why is creative play so important and why don’t children get enough of it?
20. What negative health trends have emerged because of childhood media use and consumption?
21. What is wrong with the argument that it is solely a parent’s responsibility to keep children away from dangerous media and marketing?
22. The film was made in 2008. How do you think marketing to children has changed or evolved since the film was made?
Consuming Kids Film Questions
Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences and on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to use pen and label your assignment with your name, course section number and assignment name. When possible, use examples directly from the film.
1. According to the film, how much money do children spend per year?
2. How much money do children influence their parents to spend each year?
3. How does nagging influence parent purchasing?
4. How does child multitasking influence their exposure to marketing?
5. How has the marketing to children evolved over time?
6. At what age are children unable to understand the persuasive intent of marketing?
7. How do marketers exploit children’s emotional attachments to get them to buy things?
8. What is product placement and how does it attempt to influence consumers?
9. How effective do you think media education in schools could be to help children understand the manipulations of advertising?
10. What is your reaction to marketing in schools and field trips to retail stores?
11. How has psychology helped marketers market to children? What examples did the documentary give of how psychology has impacted marketing to children?
12. What is symbolic advertising and how does it sell products to kids? How does this tie to Klein’s discussion of branding or Barber’s arguments about infantilization?
13. How have the costs of products for kids increased over time? What examples did the film give?
14. How has marketing to children changed typical childhood values?
15. How are boys and girls marketed to differently and how does this influence the shaping of children?
16. How has deregulation influenced how children are marketed to and to what they are exposed?
17. What is the concept of “cradle to grave” and how do marketers accomplish this?
18. What is the problem with educational media for young children and how do companies market these to parents?
19. Why is creative play so important and why don’t children get enough of it?
20. What negative health trends have emerged because of childhood media use and consumption?
21. What is wrong with the argument that it is solely a parent’s responsibility to keep children away from dangerous media and marketing?
22. The film was made in 2008. How do you think marketing to children has changed or evolved since the film was made?
Due 3/17: Homework #8: Revising for Fragments
Be sure to rewrite the entire paragraph in the space provided!
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Revising for Fragments: There are seven fragments in the paragraph below. Underline each fragment to identify it. Once you have identified all 7 fragments, correct the fragment mistakes by rewriting the paragraph in the space below using one of the methods we discussed Wednesday.
My first date with Donna was a disaster. I decided to take her to a small Italian restaurant. That my friends told me had reasonable prices. I looked over the menu and realized I could not pronounce the names of the dishes. Such as “veal piccata” and “fettucini alfredo.” Then, I noticed a burning smell. The candle on the table was starting to blacken. And scorch the back of my menu. Trying to be casual, I quickly poured half my glass of water onto the menu. When the waiter returned to our table. He asked me if I wanted to order some wine. I ordered a bottle of Blue Nun. The only wine that I had heard of and could pronounce. The waiter brought the wine, poured a small amount into my glass, and waited. I said, you don’t have to stand there. We can pour the wine ourselves.” After the waiter put down the wine bottle and left. Donna told me I was supposed to taste the wine. Feeling like a complete fool. I managed to get through the dinner. However, for weeks afterward, I felt like jumping out of a tenth story window.
My first date with Donna was a disaster. I decided to take her to a small Italian restaurant. That my friends told me had reasonable prices. I looked over the menu and realized I could not pronounce the names of the dishes. Such as “veal piccata” and “fettucini alfredo.” Then, I noticed a burning smell. The candle on the table was starting to blacken. And scorch the back of my menu. Trying to be casual, I quickly poured half my glass of water onto the menu. When the waiter returned to our table. He asked me if I wanted to order some wine. I ordered a bottle of Blue Nun. The only wine that I had heard of and could pronounce. The waiter brought the wine, poured a small amount into my glass, and waited. I said, you don’t have to stand there. We can pour the wine ourselves.” After the waiter put down the wine bottle and left. Donna told me I was supposed to taste the wine. Feeling like a complete fool. I managed to get through the dinner. However, for weeks afterward, I felt like jumping out of a tenth story window.
Due 3/21: Homework #9: Food Inc. Film Questions
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Answer each question below in complete sentences. Unless otherwise directed, your answer should make use of direct evidence from the film and answers should be at least a paragraph in length.
1. What do you believe the purpose of the film is? For instance, is it meant to be persuasive or informative, or...?
2. In a sentence or two state what you believe is the filmmakers' thesis. (Remember the work we've been doing on thesis statements and try to state the thesis as if you were the author.)
3. How do the filmmakers support their thesis? What sort of evidence do they present? Is the evidence believable and/or convincing?
4. A counter-argument is an argumentative device that authors and filmmakers use to give extra weight to their work. In a counter-argument, an author will anticipate the opposition's potential responses to his or her argument and rebut them. For example, if an author is arguing against fast food, he may choose to admit that fast food does taste good and is relatively cheap, but go on to argue that despite its good taste, fast food is neither healthy for the consumer nor does the price on the menu take into account the human, animal and environmental costs that go into its production. Using a counter-argument ensures an audience that the author is aware of the other side's points, and therefore makes an argument appear more balanced. Do the filmmakers of Food Inc. utilize any counter-arguments? If so, what are they and are they used in a way that furthers the filmmakers' argument?
5. What solutions to the problem, if any, are proposed by the filmmakers? Do they seem realistic and enforceable? Can you think of a better solution or set of solutions?
1. What do you believe the purpose of the film is? For instance, is it meant to be persuasive or informative, or...?
2. In a sentence or two state what you believe is the filmmakers' thesis. (Remember the work we've been doing on thesis statements and try to state the thesis as if you were the author.)
3. How do the filmmakers support their thesis? What sort of evidence do they present? Is the evidence believable and/or convincing?
4. A counter-argument is an argumentative device that authors and filmmakers use to give extra weight to their work. In a counter-argument, an author will anticipate the opposition's potential responses to his or her argument and rebut them. For example, if an author is arguing against fast food, he may choose to admit that fast food does taste good and is relatively cheap, but go on to argue that despite its good taste, fast food is neither healthy for the consumer nor does the price on the menu take into account the human, animal and environmental costs that go into its production. Using a counter-argument ensures an audience that the author is aware of the other side's points, and therefore makes an argument appear more balanced. Do the filmmakers of Food Inc. utilize any counter-arguments? If so, what are they and are they used in a way that furthers the filmmakers' argument?
5. What solutions to the problem, if any, are proposed by the filmmakers? Do they seem realistic and enforceable? Can you think of a better solution or set of solutions?
Due 3/23: Homework #10: Fast Food Nation Introduction Questions
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Use a direct quotation with a proper quote sandwich to support each answer. Remember, a quote alone is not the answer! Answer the question in your own words and support that answer with a quotation from the reading. A proper quote sandwich will make a passing answer a minimum of three sentences!
- How does Eric Schlosser put into perspective the incredible amount of money Americans spend on fast food?
- How have the changing economics since the 1970s affected the growth of the fast food industry?
- What are some of the effects of the “McDonaldization of America” (5)?
- How has the explosion of the restaurant industry affected workers?
- How has fast food altered the American diet?
- How has the government impacted the rise of the fast food industry?
- How has the fast food industry impacted agriculture?
- How have politics impacted food safety in the US?
- What problems with the meat recall process in the US does Scholsser outline?
- What solutions to the problem with contaminated meat are the USDA and meatpacking industry focusing on? What issues does the author suggest they should be focusing on instead?
- What is the problem with the staffing of the US Department of Agriculture under Reagan and Bush? What likely impacts on safety and regulations do you think these staffing choices had?
- What problems ultimately lead to the discontinuance of SIS-C?
- How did the Clinton administration tighten inspection requirements?
- When Upton Sinclair first exposed the dangers of the meatpacking industry in the early 1900s, Thomas Wilson, head of the Beef Trust responded to requests for further sanitation requirements with: "[I]n all reasonable fairness we are paying all we care to pay" (205). What did he mean by this statement and how has his attitude become the norm for the meatpacking industry?
Due 3/28: Homework #11 "The Climate Crisis"
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Answer each question in a minimum of three complete sentences. Be sure to include at least one direct quotation to support each answer.
- How does meat consumption impact global warming?
- Why does our food system play such a significant role in the global warming effect?
- How do land use changes impact global warming?
- How has the palm oil industry impacted land use and global warming?
- How has increased livestock production impacted deforestation and global warming?
- What impacts does deforestation have on global warming?
- What is a CAFO and why are they becoming increasingly more the norm globally?
- Why are CAFOs “inherently inefficient” in producing animal protein (110)?
- What is the “climate cost” of CAFOs (111)?
- Historically, what benefits did livestock grazing provide?
- How do livestock contribute to emissions?
- How do transportation and waste contribute to emissions?
- How can small-scale sustainable agriculture help with the emissions problem of agriculture?
- What solutions does the chapter propose to help with the environmental impact of farming?
- How are organic farms more resilient to the changing weather patterns caused by global warming?
Due 4/4: Homework #12 Eating Animals
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Answer each question below in a minimum of three complete sentences. Use a quote to back up your answers.
- What is Foer’s aim in writing this book? In other words, is this chapter meant to be informative, persuasive, or entertaining, etc.? Include evidence in your answer that shows the author’s intent.
- What was the USDA response to Temple Grandin’s research that showed that most slaughterhouses were unable to properly knock out a cow with one blow from the knocker?
- Foer states that “if [cows] survive the first blow, they sure as hell appear to know they are fighting for their lives” (231). What is the effect of his use of the word “hell”? How does this impact your understanding of his book, his tone, or his trustworthiness?
- How does working at a slaughterhouse impact workers?
- What is the effect of Foer’s use of testimonials from slaughterhouse workers? Is it persuasive? How does he use this evidence to further his claims?
- Foer admits that there are holes in his research. Why isn’t it possible for him to get the complete story on what occurs within slaughterhouses?
- According to Foer, what is “the single biggest factor preventing the emergence of tolerable turkey and chicken farms” (235)?
- Even when a farmer like Frank Reese is able to implement more humane and natural practices of raising animals, what roadblocks still stand in his way that prevent a sustainable and wholly humane process of raising animals?
- What is the purpose of the italicized section, “I Am a Vegan Who Builds Slaughterhouses” (238)? In other words, why did Foer include it and why is it in italics? Is this section effective?
- According to Foer, what is “a ranch ethic” and how can such an ethic act as a critique of factory farming (239)?
Due 4/6: Homework #13 The Omnivore's Dilemma Chapter 17
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Answer each question below in at least three complete sentences. You must include a direct quotation, paraphrase or summary in each answer to receive full credit.
1. How has the modern meat industry distanced consumers and animals from one another? How has this affected the American attitude toward food animals and meat eating?
2. Peter Singer, in the book Animal Liberation, argues that "equality is a moral idea [...] not an assertion of fact." Through this logic, he argues that "everyone's interests ought to receive equal consideration regardless of 'what they are like or what abilities they have.'" Therefore, "If possessing a higher degree of intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his or her own ends, how can it entitle humans to exploit non-humans for the same purpose?" (Pollan 307). Do you agree with this logic? Why or why not? If you were faced with this argument, how would you logically defend your desire to continue eating meat? (In other words, "it tastes good" is not an acceptable argument in a moral debate.)
3. What is the "argument for marginal cases" (308)?
4. What is speciesism and how does it affect the meat eater's moral rationale for eating meat? How does Pollan refute notions of speciesism (via the work of animal rightists such as Singer)?
5. What does Michael Pollan argue is lost when one becomes a vegetarian? Do you think these are reasons enough to continue eating meat?
6. How is the behavior of laying hens evidence of suffering (vs. mere pain)?
7. Pollan argues that there is an "economic impulse to erode the moral underpinnings of society" (318). How do the practices of the industrial food system support this argument?
8. How does Pollan argue that the happiness (or suffering) of a domestic animal is a result of "mutualism or symbiosis between species" (320)? How might this argument support the idea of eating meat (in more humane ways, of course)?
9. How does considering an individual animal versus the group of animals as a whole change the moral consideration of eating meat?
10. How does Michael Pollan eventually argue in support of meat eating? What benefits does meat eating (and therefore the production of food animals) provide?
11. How does Pollan distinguish between "animal welfare" and "animal rights" (328)?
12. How has the loss of ritual in contemporary slaughter and animal eating made "looking" and continuing to eat meat less tolerable (331)?
13. How does Pollan's view of "looking" tie into Annie Leonard and the Quaker principle of "bearing witness" (331)?
1. How has the modern meat industry distanced consumers and animals from one another? How has this affected the American attitude toward food animals and meat eating?
2. Peter Singer, in the book Animal Liberation, argues that "equality is a moral idea [...] not an assertion of fact." Through this logic, he argues that "everyone's interests ought to receive equal consideration regardless of 'what they are like or what abilities they have.'" Therefore, "If possessing a higher degree of intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his or her own ends, how can it entitle humans to exploit non-humans for the same purpose?" (Pollan 307). Do you agree with this logic? Why or why not? If you were faced with this argument, how would you logically defend your desire to continue eating meat? (In other words, "it tastes good" is not an acceptable argument in a moral debate.)
3. What is the "argument for marginal cases" (308)?
4. What is speciesism and how does it affect the meat eater's moral rationale for eating meat? How does Pollan refute notions of speciesism (via the work of animal rightists such as Singer)?
5. What does Michael Pollan argue is lost when one becomes a vegetarian? Do you think these are reasons enough to continue eating meat?
6. How is the behavior of laying hens evidence of suffering (vs. mere pain)?
7. Pollan argues that there is an "economic impulse to erode the moral underpinnings of society" (318). How do the practices of the industrial food system support this argument?
8. How does Pollan argue that the happiness (or suffering) of a domestic animal is a result of "mutualism or symbiosis between species" (320)? How might this argument support the idea of eating meat (in more humane ways, of course)?
9. How does considering an individual animal versus the group of animals as a whole change the moral consideration of eating meat?
10. How does Michael Pollan eventually argue in support of meat eating? What benefits does meat eating (and therefore the production of food animals) provide?
11. How does Pollan distinguish between "animal welfare" and "animal rights" (328)?
12. How has the loss of ritual in contemporary slaughter and animal eating made "looking" and continuing to eat meat less tolerable (331)?
13. How does Pollan's view of "looking" tie into Annie Leonard and the Quaker principle of "bearing witness" (331)?
Due Tuesday 4/25: FFN Chapter 8 Summaries
Compose a one paragraph summary for each section of the chapter (there are 6 sections: the introduction section plus five other sections with headings). Therefore, your homework should be six paragraphs of varying lengths. Follow the guidelines we discussed in class:
1. Highlight/underline the main points of the section. Be sure to use a different color or method to indicate that these are main points.
2. Compose your summary.
Your summary should include:
-->A topic sentence that introduces the author name, chapter title, and section title (if there is one)
-->Summary of the main points that you highlighted/underlined previously
-->A brief discussion of how Schlosser supports his main points. In other words, what types of information does he provide (interviews with workers, data from USDA studies, etc.). You do not need to include the actual data or information, but just identify what types of evidence he is using.
1. Highlight/underline the main points of the section. Be sure to use a different color or method to indicate that these are main points.
2. Compose your summary.
Your summary should include:
-->A topic sentence that introduces the author name, chapter title, and section title (if there is one)
-->Summary of the main points that you highlighted/underlined previously
-->A brief discussion of how Schlosser supports his main points. In other words, what types of information does he provide (interviews with workers, data from USDA studies, etc.). You do not need to include the actual data or information, but just identify what types of evidence he is using.
Due 4/27: Wall-E Film Questions
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Due 4/27: Homework # 14 "Cogs" Reading Questions
Due 11/14: Annotated Bibliography
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Due 5/9: Homework #15: Idiocracy Questions
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Answer each question below in at least three complete sentences.
1. How does the film comment on issues of technology? What kind of satirical warning against technology does the film seem to be making? Use specific examples from the film to support your answer.
2. How does the film comment on issues of consumerism such as those outlined by Leonard in The Story of Stuff? Use specific examples from the film to support your answer.
3. How does the film comment on issues surrounding food and marketing? Use specific examples from the film to support your answer.
4. As a work of dystopian fiction, Idiocracy functions as social satire. Is it an effective piece of satire or is it so over-the-top that its message becomes obscured?
5. Is there a point to the film’s lewdness, or is it simply there for comic effect? Does the crassness and profanity of Idiocracy contribute to its position as a piece of satire?
1. How does the film comment on issues of technology? What kind of satirical warning against technology does the film seem to be making? Use specific examples from the film to support your answer.
2. How does the film comment on issues of consumerism such as those outlined by Leonard in The Story of Stuff? Use specific examples from the film to support your answer.
3. How does the film comment on issues surrounding food and marketing? Use specific examples from the film to support your answer.
4. As a work of dystopian fiction, Idiocracy functions as social satire. Is it an effective piece of satire or is it so over-the-top that its message becomes obscured?
5. Is there a point to the film’s lewdness, or is it simply there for comic effect? Does the crassness and profanity of Idiocracy contribute to its position as a piece of satire?
Due 5/16: Homework #16: OA Ch. 6
1. According to Abramson, how is an HMO supposed to work?
2. How does a managed care plan differ from an HMO?
3. How did "prescription drug advertising [...] become a major force in American medicine" (80)? What were the effects?
4. Why, according to Abramson, is the role of primary care physicians diminishing?
5. How has the threat of malpractice suits increased the costs of healthcare?
6. What are some of the negative impacts of the passage of PDUFA?
7. According to Abramson, why did it take so long for Rezulin to be removed from the American market?
8. How has drug company money impacted the functioning of the FDA?
2. How does a managed care plan differ from an HMO?
3. How did "prescription drug advertising [...] become a major force in American medicine" (80)? What were the effects?
4. Why, according to Abramson, is the role of primary care physicians diminishing?
5. How has the threat of malpractice suits increased the costs of healthcare?
6. What are some of the negative impacts of the passage of PDUFA?
7. According to Abramson, why did it take so long for Rezulin to be removed from the American market?
8. How has drug company money impacted the functioning of the FDA?
Due 5/16: Homework #17: OA Ch. 7
1. What’s wrong with choosing test subjects who are younger and fitter than those who will likely be prescribed the test drug?
2. Why do drug companies design tests that compare their drugs to placebos rather than similar existing treatments?
3. What are some of the effects of commercially sponsored medical research?
4. According to Abramson, what are the drug companies’ “most important products” (94)?
5. How did for-profit research replace government funded research and what were some of the results?
6. What methods do drug companies use to “make sure that research results are written to best represent their interests” (106)?
2. Why do drug companies design tests that compare their drugs to placebos rather than similar existing treatments?
3. What are some of the effects of commercially sponsored medical research?
4. According to Abramson, what are the drug companies’ “most important products” (94)?
5. How did for-profit research replace government funded research and what were some of the results?
6. What methods do drug companies use to “make sure that research results are written to best represent their interests” (106)?
Due 5/18: Homework #18: Overdosed America Chapter 10 "Direct-to-Consumer: Advertising, Public Relations, and the Medical News"
1. What argument did the drug companies use to persuade the FDA to allow direct to consumer advertising and when was DTC advertising for drugs first allowed?
2. What rules were placed on DTC advertisements of drugs when the FDA first allowed them? What rules were changed in 1997?
3. How does the DTC advertising of drugs to consumers “make prescription drug use seem like a routine part of life” (151)?
4. How has DTC advertising affected the doctor-patient relationship?
5. Do you believe that commercial speech should receive constitutional protection equivalent to that of individuals and the press? Why or why not?
6. How do public relations firms promote prescription drugs and drug manufacturers to consumers?
7. What are some examples of successful public relations campaigns and how did they successfully mislead consumers?
8. According to Abramson, why are the news stories about the latest medical “breakthroughs” detrimental to the health of Americans?