Q2 - Lesson #25 - 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.

Charts and graphs and other things, Oh my! (That's a version of the "Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my!" exchange from The Wizard of Oz... Just thought you might want to know.) I've got five sheets containing various styles and sorts of information. You'll get one of them, and we'll share what we've got...

Cartoons - Industrialization and Imperialism
In this assignment, you will produce two cartoons of your own in editorial/political cartoon style. One will be on industrialization (or a closely related issue) and one will be on imperialism (or a specific example). These will both be due on Friday, January 6th.

Here are the guidelines:
  • My preference is for each cartoon to be in black/color ink on 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.
  • You may use multiple panels, but most cartoons of this style are usually a single panel.
  • Text on the cartoon may be typed (cut and paste) or hand-written, but must be legible.
  • Your ideas are more important than artistic excellence, but there should be evidence of appropriate effort.
  • You will be evaluated on adherence to topic, effectiveness of "message", creativity and execution.
If you want some additional samples, you might check these sites out:

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 Thursday, December 16th. Here's information on the "real" 1889 World's Fair if you are curious.


"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...


HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Tuesday, December 13th

We'll give you Chapter 26, Section 2, "Self-Rule for British Colonies." (pp. 751 - 755) as a take-home quiz. Continue your reading with Chapter 26, Section 3, "War and Expansion in the United States." (pp. 758 - 761) We're back to multiple choice in the quiz rotation.

We will be holding our 1889 Paris World Exposition (or "Fair" if you prefer) on Wednesday, December 14th. You'll each have a short presentation ready for that.

Just a reminder that your Cartoons: Industrialization and Imperialism assignments will be due on Friday, January 6th.


About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Mike Vergin published on December 12, 2011 12:00 PM.

Q2 - Lesson #24 - Industrial Revolution Discussion was the previous entry in this blog.

Q2 - Lesson #26 - Clashing Views on the Economy is the next entry in this blog.

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