Global Inequality & iPhones [Video]

This short Nightline Video is a great way to engage students in a discussion of Global Inequality. The piece is short (about 15 minutes) and touches on several sociological concepts, making it a great tool to start a discussion on this topic.

• I like to ask students to think about the differences between producing and consuming countries when they watch this video. We talked about those conditions but we also talk about what prevents the producers( Chinese workers ) and/or the consumers (the students themselves) from demanding better wages/conditions. 
• I especially like to push students on their role in this system and one way to do that is to pair the Nightline video with other photos/videos showing people in developed countries waiting in line/camping overnight/and fighting for thew new iPhone. Here's an example, but you can probably find something more current: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/09/scuffles-arrests-at-pasadena-apple-stores-iphone-5s-launch/
• The clip also covers the suicides of many workers and so can also tie in with ideas about Durkeim/suicide/anomie.

If you are  going to watch this in class, you should also check out the iEconomy series produced by the NY Times in 2013.  Much of the journalists' work is still relevant. You'll find potentially readings and other interactive features here that you can use in your class: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/ieconomy.html?_r=0


Shout out to my colleague Dr. George Gonzalez who sent the Nightline video a while back.