Log 5.5 Classwork: Different Opinions on My Topic

See the class moodle page for instructions.

Log 5.3 and 5.4

Go to the class moodle page to complete log 5.3. (Click here to go to the Moodle page) Scroll down to copies of class assignments. I am also going to post log 5.4 on the final project, but it is not due until Tuesday. Looking over the homework I decided it was a bit too much for one weekend. However, if you want to work ahead, you can complete log 5.4 ahead of time.

Log 4.7 NAFTA Interior Monologue

What's an interior monologue?

1. Written in first person (you're not writing about your character for the debate--you are writing as if you are the character in the debate).

2. Create fictional, but historically accurate details about your characters life. Bring them to life, begin to empathize and understand their perspective.

3. Explain your character's view on NAFTA and free trade policies. What do they hope to accomplish in the conference?

Log 4.6 Classwork: Critically Evaluate WTO case examples

If you were not here on Monday here are the instructions that were on the board for this classwork
assignment.


1. Read the article and pick three examples of controversial cases that have come before the WTO.
Then, summarize the two different opinions/perspectives on the case example.

2. Give your opinion about each case example. Who do you agree with? Be sure to explain and defend your position with logic and a detailed explanation.

Log 4.5 Homework Discussion Forum Question on the WTO:

Go to the class moodle page to complete: Econ moodle page.

Helpful Hints for the Paper

Hello Seniors:

I recommend that you look through the posts below. In particular the "what is neoliberalism" assignment gives a good brief overview of the neoclassical perspective. Check out the moodle discussion forum questions on whether our current problems are a systemic and a result of deregulation, or are a result of greedy human nature; and the question on whether the invisible hand or government regulations are more effective in regulating the market. Many of your responses to this were excellent and could go right into this paper.

Also be sure to notice that you need to include at least one quote from each documentary we watched in class (Free to Choose and the Corporation). The links to those videos are below as well as the transcripts. Additionally the link to the Corporation site has a section where you can find quotes from different topics that were discussed in the video. For example under regulation there is a gold mine of keynesian vs neoclassical viewpoints on the effectiveness of government regulation vs the invisible hand.

Log 3.4 Mortgage Mess

I have posted the in class work from Tuesday and Thursday for those who were absent. This video would also be a useful resource for your papers.

The questions are here: Mortgage Mess Questions

The video is here: Mortgage Mess Video

Note: we only watched the first half of the video about the "mortgage mess" it is about 20 minutes long.

What's a persuasive essay again?

Here's a good description of what a persuasive essay is, and what you can do to craft a successful persuasive essay: Persuasive essay writing.


Here is a resource for those who are arguing for increased Keynesian policies that a student recommended: Multinational Monitor

Log 3.1 Corporation Followup Questions

To complete this assignment go to Lasalle's moodle page and respond to the three corporation followup questions: http://lasalle.eduspoke.com/

Be sure to complete all three questions. 6th period be sure to watch the last part of the corporation there is important information that you missed. Your class missed the last two chapters 22 and 23:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=FA50FBC214A6CE87&page=2

For those who are interested, due to time constraints we skipped chapters 9, 12-16, 19-20. You might find these interesting (or annoying), but they are probably useful for you in completing your essay.

Log 2.8 Homework: What is Neoliberalism?

1) Go to: http://barstowsworldhistory.wikispaces.com/What+is+Neoliberalism%3F+ to complete
the first part of your assignment. If you feel stuck, look at the handout I gave you in class that has the three major economic perspectives on the front (with the pictures of the knights/dragons, etc).

2) First watch the video where Milton Friedman discusses “greed” or the profit motive of capitalism and his belief about the ability of government to regulate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A

Then answer the following questions:

a. What does Friedman think about the “greed” motive?

b. What does Friedman think about the ability of the government to regulate capitalism?

c. In this video Friedman implies that political self interest is not nobler than economic self interest. Do you agree or disagree?

Log 2.7 Classroom Discussion Forum

For this assignment you need to log in to the classroom "moodle" page.

Here are the instructions:

1. Go to our La Salle Moodle page: http://lasalle.eduspoke.com/

Select (login) which is located at the bottom right-hand corner

All usernames and passwords are the same as your Powerschool usernames and passwords. If you have a hard time entering username and password it is probably because they are case sensitive (Thanks to Ed and Jackson for the tip) If you don’t know your password/username you may ask your counselor or come by the computer lab and ask Mr. Heineck or Mrs. Pinto. If you don't have this information with you, then you can complete this assignment on Monday.

Once you have logged in-- you then need to click on Social Studies, then click on Economics, then you will see the next set of instructions. Good luck! Don't get frustrated--learning new technology can be difficult, seek out help from me or someone in the computer lab if you need it.

Log 2.2 What terms are the most important for a happy and healthy society?

In class we looked at the following terms about economics and the government. Capitalism, Socialism, Totalitarianism, Democracy, Freedom, Equality, Individualism, and Collectivism.
Okay, but who cares? Why does it matter that you have an understanding of these terms?

My answer to that is that every society, in every age has to pick and choose how to structure their society. We are constantly undergoing a debate about what the best balance between government and capitalism should be, about how much democracy and freedom people should have and the balance between the benefits of individualism vs collectivism. Because we are fortunate to get to live in a democracy, you actually get to have a say about what type of country we will live in. I don't know about you, but I want to live in a society where people debate, discuss, and ponder the drawbacks and benefits that our choices will make. Okay, I'll get off the soap box and move onto the assignment:

For your assignment I want you to read over the different terms and create a spectrum at the top of your paper that looks like this:

1.

Terms that = happy + healthy society -- Terms that don't = happy + healthy society.
____________________________________________________________________________________


Underneath this you need to put the terms in order, based on how likely you think they are of making a happy and healthy society. For the example I have used terms that we didn't have. Be sure you use the terms we learned in class.

Terms that = happy + healthy society -- Terms that don't = happy + healthy society.
____________________________________________________________________________________
wild areas to camp in, pizza , malls, crime, murder, really unpleasant stuff.


So this is my example. Terms on the left represent what I think will make society happy and healthy, things on the right represent things that I think are unlikely to make society happy and healthy. So, I think wild areas to camp in are very likely to make society happy and healthy, I think that really unpleasant stuff is very unlikely to make society happy and healthy. Remember you are using the terms from class.


2. Now you need to explain and defend why you think society should be organized the way you have it layed out. So for my example I would explain that I think its important that people have wild areas for peace and solitude and escaping "the crazyness" of the world, and that "really unpleasant stuff" is bound to make us all unhappy, malls can be useful, but they can also be stressful, and so forth. You need to explain the different terms and why you have ordered them the way you have. Be sure to explain your reasoning. Don't just say democracy is good and totalitarianism is bad, explain why.

How long should this be? In the past most students who are successful on this assignment write at least a page. I don't have a set page length, just be sure that you are clearly explaining your reasoning. If you find this interesting and want to go above and beyond, you can earn Extended credit? What's extended credit? Check out my teacher page for a description: http://www.lshigh.org/s/255/lasalle.aspx?sid=255&gid=1&pgid=1376
My apologies, it looks like my extended credit assignment has been taken down. I'll have it get set back up ASAP.

Good Luck! Barstow.

Log 1.7 Homework: the Fall of America Inc

For those who were absent or at the soccer game. Here is a link to the assignment and a link to the article. Do your best on the assignment: you might find problem number one confusing--we did an activity in class to help explain what a chain of causation is. If you are confused you can revise this assignment.


Article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/162401
Assignment: http://barstowsworldhistory.wikispaces.com/fallofamericainc

Reminder

Log 1.4 Student Introduction Letter, and Log 1.5 Scarcity and the Factors of Production are due on Tuesday.