Homework: Shell oil in Nigeria

Date assigned
Thursday, October 11


Assignment
Read the handouts about Shell's involvement with the oil industry in the Ogoni region of Nigeria (links here and here).  Write at least 1.5 pages on the following opinion questions:

1) Should Shell have been punished for their actions in Nigeria?  Why or why not?

2) What should Shell’s punishment have been?  Explain your answer.

3) What was the worst thing Shell did?  Explain your answer.

4) What responsibilities do international corporations have when they harvest natural resources in places like Nigeria?  Explain your answer.

5) What responsibilities do national governments have when they allow international corporations like Shell to harvest natural resources in their country?  Explain your answer.

Further resources:
Youtube video - http://youtu.be/N10wAPhDJAM
Photo essay - http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/06/nigeria-the-cost-of-oil/100082/

Further readings:
http://ccrjustice.org/ourcases/current-cases/wiwa-v.-royal-dutch-petroleum
http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/cases_03-04/Ogoni/Ogoni_case_study.htm
http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/ogoni-people-struggle-shell-oil-nigeria-1990-1995


Due date
Tuesday, October 16, beginning of class