SUMMER READING - FAST FOOD NATION
DR. ROSENBERG – AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
Introduction This is important. Read it twice. After you read the book, read the introduction again.
The Jungle profoundly affected Theodore Roosevelt and spurred legislation to regulate the meatpacking industry. Why has Fast Food Nation failed to produce the same level of reform?
This book focuses on what time period?
Why did Eric Schlosser think it was important to write about the fast food industry?
Why did Schlosser choose to focus on the McDonald's Corporation?
Why did he choose to focus on Colorado Springs?
"The real price never appears on the menu." What does Schlosser mean by that?
According to Schlosser, why did he write the book?
How have U.S. eating habits influenced the "Americanization" of the world?
Why are critics of the fast food industry often referred to as un-American?
The author states in the introduction that, "Fast food has proven to be a revolutionary force in America;" he sees it as a "commodity and as a metaphor." How does fast food serve as a metaphor for American life?
Key terms/concepts: centralized purchasing decisions; uniformity; industrialization of the fast food kitchen
The American Way 1. The Founding Fathers Identify Carl N. Karcher and be able to discuss his significance in U.S. history.
"Southern California had recently given birth to an entirely new lifestyle…." Explain this, with examples, and the significance of this statement to the book.
Identify Richard and Maurice McDonald and be able to discuss their significance in U.S. history. How were their lives similar to Karcher's? How did these people symbolize 20th- century U.S. history?
Terms/concepts: Speedee Service System
SUMMER READING - FAST FOOD NATION
2. Your Trusted Friends Identify Walt Disney and Ray Kroc and be able to discuss the influence each had on 20th-century U.S. business, culture, and society.
How does the "My McDonald's" campaign relate to this chapter's title?
What might Dan DeRose and Mike Cameron talk about if they had lunch together?
Terms/concepts: Multimixer, synergy
3. Behind the Counter
What does Schlosser mean by "the architectural equivalent of fast food"?
Describe the relationship between chain stores and real estate development.
Terms/concepts: throughput, zero training, stroking
4. Success
Assess Schlosser's use of "new faith" to describe the franchise experience and his reference to Ray Kroc as a "charismatic leader."
Meat and Potatoes 5. Why the Fries Taste Good
What has happened to the potato industry since 1965? Why?
Terms/concepts: J. R. Simplot, "fallacy of composition," International Flavors & Fragrances, GRAS, Lamb Weston
6. On the Range
Describe what has happened to the meatpacking business since 1917. What factors contributed to the changes? What role did McDonald's play?
How did McDonald's influence the chicken business?
7. Cogs in the Great Machine
How did IBP transform the beef industry?
In the production of goods, is bigger better?
SUMMER READING - FAST FOOD NATION
Analyze the costs and benefits of minimizing the amount of skill necessary to work in a factory.
How should corporations behave? Should profits or ethics determine their behavior? Are profits and ethics mutually exclusive factors?
Terms/concepts: Greeley, IBP, ConAgra, Lexington
8. The Most Dangerous Job
What is the injury rate for meatpacking workers and how does it compare to other jobs?
What factors contribute to the job's danger?
What job does Schlosser claim is the nation's worst? Why?
Who is Kenny Dobbins?
Terms/concepts: OSHA
9. What's in the Meat
How has the industrialization and consolidation of meat processing affected public health?
List and analyze the benefits and costs of streamlining meat inspection.
Who is David M. Theno and why would some representatives of the meatpacking industry possibly consider him "the Antichrist"?
Please ponder for a moment the implications of recalling 35 million pounds of ground beef.
Terms/concepts: E. coli 0157:H7
10. Global Realization
Is the United States exporting obesity?
How would you say McDonald's behaved in the Steel-Davis libel case?
Terms/concepts: Plauen, "global realization," "McWorld"
Epilogue: Have It Your Way
SUMMER READING - FAST FOOD NATION
Describe and analyze the business model used by Lasater Grasslands Beef, Conway's Red Top, and In-N-Out Burger.
According to Schlosser, what will be the great challenge of the 21st century? Do you agree?
What did Schlosser mean when he wrote, "The low price of a fast food hamburger does not reflect its real cost--and should"?
What reform agenda does Schlosser suggest and how does he recommend it be accomplished?
Afterword: The Meaning of Mad Cow
Read about mad cow, if you feel like it, but be sure to read the section titled "wrong wrong wrong."
Why may the year 2000 someday be viewed as a pivotal one for the fast food nation?
What signs of change in the fast food industry have appeared since 2000?
What is the fast food nation and what attitudes and values does it support and spread?