Lesson #26 - "Economics for Sophomores"

We're at a key time in the world's history in terms of the field of economics. You've been introduced to Smith and Marx, as well as a number of terms used in the field. I think that both the rest of this year and all of next year's United States history will make more sense if we spend some time looking at these people and ideas. We'll do that today.


"Economics for Sophomores" - I'm teaching Economics fourth quarter to some seniors, but we'll try and give you a quick overview today. Think of this more as a "workshop" than a lecture. I'll get you trying some graphing, etc.

Download a copy of this Economics for Sophomores note guide and have a piece of paper and writing instrument ready...


1889 Paris World Exposition - I probably shouldn't admit this, but the idea for this assignment came from The Magic Tree House book, The Night of the New Magicians. You're going to have to do a little time traveling with me for this one to work, but here's the premise.

We're all at the 1889 Paris World Exposition. You each have a person and topic on which to present. (Most of you will be working in pairs.) We'll be focusing on the material from Chapter 26, Section 4, "Nineteenth-Century Progress." Yes, I KNOW some of the things you'll be presenting on were not even invented yet in 1889.  That's the whole time travel thing.

For each of the presentations, I'd like to see the following elements:
  • something visual (Powerpoint or video clip or whatever)
  • background on the development or invention
  • consideration of both the economic and social consequences of the idea/invention
  • mention of key developments/impacts since the original idea/invention
Here are the people and ideas/inventions from which you'll choose:
  • Thomas Edison - phonograph and light bulb (others?)
  • Alexander Graham Bell - telephone
  • Guglielmo Marconi - radio
  • Henry Ford - automobile
  • Wright Brothers - human flight
  • Louis Pasteur - germ theory of disease
  • Joseph Lister - antiseptics
  • Charles Darwin - evolution
  • Gregor Mendel - genetics
  • Dmitri Mendeleev - periodic table of the elements
  • Marie and Pierre Curie - radioactivity
  • Sigmund Freud - psychology
  • Herbert Spencer - Social Darwinism
We'll hold our version of the 1889 Paris World Exposition on Monday, October 12th. Here's information on the "real" 1889 World's Fair if you are curious.


HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Thursday, October 8th

Continue your reading in Chapter 26, Section 2, "Self-Rule for British Colonies." (pp. 751 - 755) The quiz will be matching.

Just a reminder that your Cartoons: Industrialization and Imperialism assignments are due on Tuesday, October 20th.

We will be holding our 1889 Paris World Exposition (or "Fair" if you prefer) on Monday, October 12th. You'll each have a short presentation ready for that.

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Mike Vergin published on October 7, 2009 2:00 AM.

Lesson #25 - Industrial Revolution Discussion was the previous entry in this blog.

Lesson #27 - Clashing Views on the Economy is the next entry in this blog.

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