Teachers Guide - Is Wal-Mart Good For America? | Teacher Center | FRONTLINE

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Are Low Prices Always a Good Thing?

Note to Students:

Wal-Mart is the biggest retailer in the world.
Wal-Mart's growth can be largely attributed to their ability to keep prices low.
Outsourcing is one method of keeping the cost of production down.

You will be divided into groups to research the advantages or disadvantages of outsourcing. Take careful notes and be prepared to defend your group's position in a class debate.

The Advantages of Outsourcing
Directions:
Using the following Web sites, information from the documentary and additional information found on the Internet, support the concept that outsourcing is good for the United States. Organize this information for a short presentation to class.

The Great Hollowing-Out Myth (The Economist)
http://www.economist.com/agenda/displayStory.cfm?story_id=2454530

Jobs, Immigration, and Outsourcing (The Cato Institute)
http://www.cato.org/current/outsourcing/index.html

Top Economists Square Off in Debate Over Outsourcing (The Wall Street Journal)
http://www.careerjournal.com/hrcenter/articles/20040520-aeppel.html

The Disadvantages of Outsourcing
Directions:
Using the following Web sites, information from the documentary and additional information found on the Internet, support the concept that outsourcing is bad for the United States. Organize this information for a short presentation to class.

Towards A Progressive View on Outsourcing (The Nation)
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040322&s=cavanagh

Interview with Lou Dobbs (NOW with Bill Moyers)
http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript334_full.html#dobbs

Top Economists Square Off in Debate Over Outsourcing (The Wall Street Journal)
http://www.careerjournal.com/hrcenter/articles/20040520-aeppel.html

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