Commodity Chain Research Paper Sociological Research

Commodity Chains The global economy today is a network of commodity exchanges that connect producers and consumers around the world Each commodity in this global economy can be traced from production to consumption Not all products we consume have global origins, but the trend is a powerful one

Commodity Chain Analysis Examines the hidden social, cultural, and environmental relationships behind the commodities we consume Allows us to better understand globalization and a global economy by tracing one commodity When you wear, eat, or use a final product in a commodity chain, you participate in a global process

The Story of Stuff Who are the people that have the most say in how this system - the materials economy - runs? Who has the least say in how the system runs? Who are the people that work in the different parts of this system? What do you think determines where a person will be in this system? Where are you in this system? What options do you have, from where you sit, to change the system?

Your Commodity Chain Analysis This assignment asks you to do some detective work to investigate the sources of the products you consume. You’ll be asked to choose a specific product and trace it from source to consumption. This type of project is called “commodity chain analysis,” since it starts with a product (a commodity) and uncovers the chain of events, people, and materials that produced it.

Stages of a Commodity Chain When researching your commodity the stages of the commodity chain to focus on are (note: some commodities will : Design and technology Raw inputs and parts Manufacturing/Production Sales, distribution Marketing

Example: The iPod When looking at each stage of the iPod commodity chain consider: Design and technology – who made it, where, what are the wages/labor conditions, who owns the technology (patent)? Raw inputs and parts – what is needed to make the iPod – metal, plastic, how many separate parts? Manufacturing/Production – who assembles the iPod, where, what are the wages/labor conditions? Sales, distribution – how does the iPod get to the stores it is sold in, who sells the product, who buys it? Marketing – how is the iPod marketed, to whom is it marketed, how much are those in the advertisements paid?

Analysis of the Commodity Chain For the analysis of your commodity chain you need to consider the following relationships behind your product social (who makes the products, what are the labor conditions like, etc.) cultural (does this product have significant cultural meaning in the societies that consume it) environmental (how does the making and consuming of this product affect the environment)

How do I research this paper? With the Gavilan Library online databases located at: https://www.gavilan.edu/library/ If you do not have a Gavilan Library card already you need to get one ASAP. You can get one online, but it may take a few weeks to arrive in the mail. You can get one the same day by going to library in person.

EBSCO Host The EBSCOhost database available through the Gavilan Library website will provide you with a wealth of information If you are unfamiliar with EBSCOhost please view the following tutorial on techniques for searching in this database: http://www.more.net/training/handouts/feb2008/ebscohostfeaturecard-070216.pdf

What sources can I use? You want to look for information (evidence) in several sources: Peer reviewed journals (at least two of these sources are required) Newspaper, magazines, and trade journals Websites (make sure they are reliable and provide accurate information) Interviews Books You cannot use: Wikipedia Encyclopedias

What bibliographic formatting do I use? You want to use APA style formatting http://www.gavilan.edu/library/documents/APA_print_92808.pdf http://www.gavilan.edu/library/documents/APA_internet_92808.pdf Your sources need to be annotated, which means you provide a 1 paragraph summary of the main points of the article/book http://www.lesley.edu/library/guides/citation/APAanno.pdf

Due Dates: February 23rd - CCA Research Topic Summary (10 points) March 18th - Outline of research paper and annotated bibliography(50 points) April 13th - Rough Draft of research paper (40 points) April 22nd – Final research paper (100 points) May 20th - Class presentation begin (100 points)

Want to see some examples? You can review examples of A student commodity chains on the Commodity Chain Analysis Website below: http://hhh.gavilan.edu/rkreider/CCATermPaper.htm On this website you can find more information about researching and writing this paper. As usual, be sure to ask me if you have any questions!

Your are going to turn your papers in at Turnitin.com