Extra credit? Want to make up for lost time?

You may have noticed that for this week (the tenth week) I have listed readings under "bringing it home" .... and you were probably asking yourself whether the instructor has gone nuts to include stuff that won't be discussed.

Nuts I am, ahem, but there is a method to my madness.
I have this for a few reasons:

• The discussions on international trade and transport are not something far removed from our own public policy issues right here in Oregon/Pacific Northwest. The two readings demonstrate how the issues are absolutely local--including containerization of cargo.
• For those of you who for any reason could not participate in any of the past DQs, well, here is a chance to make up for at least one of them.
• For those of you who could not care whether you get credit or not, but want to discuss anyway, go for it.
• For those of you who will work only for credit, yes, this is an extra credit opportunity.

Your responses to the readings ought to be well-focused and well-thought out.  Particularly when you consider that the two readings are "old"--they were from towards the tail end of the economic expansion, before the global economy crashed like a collapse of a huge ponzi scheme :(