Final Extra Credit

Final Exam scores are up on Engrade. Anyone wishing to earn extra credit should compete one of the following assignment (A DBQ on the Great Depression and the New Deal):

http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/essays/dbq/newdeal/index.htm

You will be awarded 10-15 points for an essay of 300 words that incorporates outside information and data from a minimum of 4 documents. You also need to answer the short answers. 

Special thanks to Loretta for finding the picture of the infamous Mexico spill...I will miss all of you (and your stains) very much!

Border Wars: NAFTA and US -Mexican Immigration Policy

Explore the interactive “Immigration Timeline” on the PBS Frontline website at: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/mexico704/history/timeline.html

Identify and Summarize TWO key moments of policy change in US/ Mexico immigration policy that relate to our recent study of Mexico’s economy and government.

Read and summarize “NAFTA and US Immigration” by Alejandro Portez on the “Border Battles: The US Immigration Debate” website at: http://borderbattles.ssrc.org/Portes/

Explain how you believe NAFTA policy is impacting US/ Mexican relations. Does the Trade Agreement seem to be benefiting trade? Diplomacy? Human rights? Explain.

Be prepared for a seminar or quiz on these readings in class on Wed. 5/ 27

250 words or more
Post due Wednesday May 27 before class

May Day 101: The past, present and future of the international labor movement

This week’s blog asks you to explore contemporary May Day traditions worldwide and requires you to evaluate the role of the labor movement in the modern world.

Introduction:

May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day, is an international day of activism for working people and their families. The origins of May Day can be traced to the national strike movement for an 8 hour work day which gained momentum in the industrial American cities in 1886. In particular, the Chicago strike received national attention as a movement of nearly 35,000 strikers from April 25- May 3 escalated into a riot, resulting in the deaths of three workers. Seeking revenge for what many workers believed to be police brutality (blaming riot police for the escalation of the violence at the Haymarket Square demonstration), strikers continued demonstrating- one angered radical threw a bomb at the police, killing a uniformed officer. While no individual was ever directly linked through evidence to that death, five union organizers were tired, convicted of and received capital (death) sentences for the officer’s murder. Public uproar over the (mis) trial continued and American workers have conducted annual protests on May 1st ever since. In1893, Governor John Peter Altgeld granted the three imprisoned Haymarket defendants (one of them committed suicide in prison) absolute pardon, citing the lack of evidence against them and the unfairness of the trial.

While the immediate result of the Haymarket Affair can be viewed as a mixed result for the labor movement, the protestors work was not in vain. Unions in the mining, railroad worker’s and building trades industries successfully negotiated an eight hour work day by 1890. The Fair Labor Standards Act established the eight hour workday as a federal labor regulation in 1938 as part of FDR’s New Deal reforms.

Inspired by the success of the American labor movements as publicized by the London and New York Times, Mexico and France honored Mayday in 1890 and the movement spread on a global scale ever since. National Labour Day, as it is called in the UK, Austrialia New Zeland, have become particularly popular among workers rights activists since the anti-globalization movement emerged in 1999. While many of the protests have been peaceful demonstrations, there have also been multiple incidents of escalation on both the activists’ and police/ governments’ behalf.

Directions:

1. Actively view the photo essay “May Day” in the TIME Magazine Europe archive: http://www.time.com/time/europe/photoessays/mayday/

And ONE of the following articles on how May Day is honored abroad:

South Korea:
http://mayday.nodong.net/2000/laborday/khistorye.htm

Cuba:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7377662.stm/

Germany:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090429/business/finance_economy_germany_demo_mayday

Mexico: http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33059

Australia: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/labour-day

Response:

• Summarize what you learned about May Day/ International Worker’s Day from the sources. How do the issues you read about relate to what we are learning in class about globalization and/ or trade regulations and the WTO? Provide at least two examples of specific topics we have covered in class or that may have come up in your project.
  


• In your view, should the US adopt May Day/ International Worker’s Day as a federal holiday as it is in Spain and Australia? Explain.

your post should be a minimum of 250 words. Due Friday, May 1 - MAYDAY!

Globalization in the modern world: term project start-up assignment

In The Economics of Globalization, A Labor View, AFLCIO leader Thomas Palley defines globalization as "a process of international integration of national
goods, financial, and labor markets. It is a process that is being
driven by firms through their competitive search for profits, and it is also
being driven by the process of market arbitrage which works to ensure
that the same goods sell for the same price no matter where they are
traded. In a sense, none of this is new, and globalization is just the logical
extension to the international economy of processes that have long
operated within our own domestic economy for over one hundred years."
http://www.aaas.org/spp/yearbook/2000/ch8.pdf

As with many other controversial issues of international importance, globalization presents both opportunities and challenges. Although the process of integration of markers and policies creates some new problems, it also offers the possibility of addressing old concerns and expanding the reach of resources needed to prevent crises to developing regions and people around the world.

Our next unit will examine the trends of globalization trhough the lenses of economic sustainability, international politics and human rights. Your term project will require exploring ONE specific aspect of globalization and it's impact on the economy and human rights and development in several areas of the world.

Directions:
I) Select a topic from the list below and actively read the article(s) provided. (In the areas where more than one article is indicated, the purpose of assigning multiple sources is to cover all of the components of your response. Don't be turned off from what looks like potentially "more work", as we will be working with the topics for several weeks, it is key that it be interesting to you.)

1) Technology and the Digital Divide:

http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=48

2) Music Piracy/ File Sharing http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1042_globalmusic/index.shtml (be sure to read the introduction and sections entitled "the global music machine" and "music piracy")

3) World Health and Perscription Drugs
http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=102

And either:
a) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/4885714.stm

OR

b) ONE article from the list at:

http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/articles/browse.asp

4) Environmental protection

Introduction: http://www.globalization101.org/issue/environment/

and ONE of the articles linked onto the "Are International Trade and Protection of the Environment Enemies" OR "International Environmental Problems and the Efforts to Solve Them" sections

5) Energy
Introduction: http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=326

and ONE of the sub topics listed on the index on the link above (Nuclear Power, Alternative Sources, Energy and the Environment or Energy and Development)

6) Labor / worker's rights:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4331896.stm

AND EITHER

a) http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=27
OR

b) http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=news1&id=111 (emphasizes NAFTA)

7) Child Labor:
http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=462













7) Food quality and Genetic Modification (GMO's)











http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=105

II) Summarize the article by explaining the issue and how it relates to "globalization." Why is this considered an economic issue? According to the sources provided, what are the positive and negative implications of globalization on this particular issue/ problem? How is it impacting people in modern and developing regions in the world?

III) In your opinion, is the global scope of this problem/issue a source of hope or dispair for those most negatively affected by it? Explain your answer providing evidence and examples from the text.

4) pose two questions that would help you better understand the topic you selected

post or submit before class on monday, 250 word minimum (posted or on paper)

if you use additional resources, please list them in MLA format at the end of your work

review quiz for 2nd marking period quiz: the stock market and investment

commodity

Dow Jones

NASDAQ

NYSE

S & P 500

growth, income, value, cyclical, counter cyclical, common, preferred and blue chip stock

dividend

ask

bid

bull and bear market

insider trading

SEC

share

shareholder

volume

growth

audit

NYSE

beta

campaign financing

trend lines

Stock Market Controversies Debate Prep

Greetings Seniors,

I had some trouble with my home computer this weekend so wasn't able to get the blog up sooner than Sunday night, which is not a fair amount of time to expect you all to complete a thoughtful assessment. Therefore, the ACTIVE READING ASSIGNMENT from Friday's class is still due, but the following choice assessment will be due before class on Wednesday, March 25. If you were absent on Friday, please print and actively read article A for class tomorrow.

Based on the article and notes you prepared for this week's debates on Stock Market Controversies, respond to the framing question that you were assigned:

a) Should Congressional insider trading be allowed?http://insidertrading.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=1314\

b) Should the Big Three automakers be bailed out by congress?

http://bigthreeauto.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=2026

your response may take the format of

• a narrative blog assignment (250 word minimum)


• a pro/con graphic organizer (include at least FIVE statistics/ facts supporting each view)


• a political cartoon portfolio including either TWO original cartoons of your own design showing each side reflecting the main ideas of the reading or THREE relevant cartoons found on the internet (citations included) with summaries of their main ideas.

Review terms/ concepts for Friday's Quiz

(Note: this image is entitled "market genius"- do you know why?)

VOCABULARY:

opportunity cost

trade-off

aggregate equilibrium

aggregate growth

aggregate demand

aggregate supply

business cycle

public works

regulation

deregulation

reserved powers

inflation

infrastructure

Classical economic theory

Keynesian economic theory

interest

deficit

Federal Reserve

asset

asset bubbles

Be familiar with/ know examples of:

-stimulus package plans and criticisms

- periods of economic recession and recovery in US history (Great Depression/ New Deal; New Frontier and Great Society; Dot-Com boom; Reganomics, etc.)

pros and cons of stimulus package links

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2009/01/26/090126ta_talk_surowiecki

Researching and assessing the Stimulus Package

In order to facilitiate in-depth exploration of the provisions for GDP spending (and, hopefully, economic recovery) as outlined in Obama's congressionally approved 2009 stimulus package, please actively examine the following reources:

1) Article : "This isn't your run of the mill recession"

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/09/obama.news.conference/index.html#cnnSTCOther1

2) Breakdown of GDP spending as proposed in the plan (chart):

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/09/obama.news.conference/index.html#cnnSTCOther2

3) Read an article regarding the topic you were assigned in the second half of class (A Block and students who missed Friday's class: , read the artilce indicated by the "last names start with the letter" heading appropriate for you):

education (A-C)http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/on-innovation/2009/02/obamas-education-stimulus-isnt.html And/ or http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=57333

energy (D-F)http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-stimulus-green18-2009feb18,0,5194715.story

transportation and public works (G-I)http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/06/ap6135687.html

taxes (J-L) ( you only have to read one, but are ENCOURAGED to read both articles)

citizens - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/16/personalfinance/main4804729.shtml?source=RSS&attr=_4804729

businesses- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123630457644747709.html

health care (M-O)http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/what_the_stimulus_package_hold.php

employment: (P-R) http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/06/obama.stimulus/

poverty releif (S-Z)http://uspoverty.change.org/blog/view/taking_stock_of_obamas_stimulus_package_part_i

4) Share your observations on the stimlulus package overall and the specific component of GDP spending that you read about in the third source.

• Explain the positive and negative aspects of these plans and provide your insight on what economic reforms would be wise to improve conditions in this aspect of the US economy.

• Is this a keynesan or classical solution to the current economic crisis? Explain your answer.

5) post a discussion question for further exploration in class - we'll be debating these issues later on this week.

Reminder: all work for this MP is due Wednesday, March 11. This blog is due Monday, March 9. Minimum of 250 words.

A History fo the US Economy: Analyzing Trade-offs that shaped the national economy

The Three Main Economic Questions :
What goods and services should be produced?
How should these goods and services be produced?
For whom should these goods and services be produced and distributed?

Trade-off
Every time a nation, group or individual faces the ECONOMIC QUESTIONS, a choice is made that has a direct impact on individuals and the potential for a trickle-down economic impact (on industry, society, the economy as a whole, etc.)When choices are made (collectively or by an individual) to accept having less of one thing in order to get more of something else, the results are called trade-offs. For example, when one is allocating (limited) funds, the trade-off usually involves reduced spending for some purposes in order to be able to spend more for other more urgent purposes. However, the concept does not apply only (or even primarily) to decisions involving money. A student faced with the choice of spending Saturday studying for a Political Economy exam or shopping at The Mall makes a trade-off of shopping time for study time in deciding how many hours to study and how many to spend shopping. Society also makes trade-offs -- such as, for example, between its need for a more plentiful supply of energy and its need to prevent excessive deterioration of the environment caused by energy production technologies. Evaluating trade-offs, when done carefully and systematically, involves comparing the costs and benefits of each of the available alternatives with each other.

Opportunity cost is defined as the value of the sacrifice involved in a trade off – in other words what you give up in a an economic decision. Most choices are not all-or-nothing decisions; rather they typically involve small changes at the margin -- a little more of this at the cost of a little less of that. Consumers continuously practice marginalism and make trade-offs as they consider whether to buy one more unit or one unit less of a good or service in their efforts to obtain a mix of goods and services that afford them the greatest satisfaction for their available buying power. Producers must constantly be deciding (and reevaluating) their trade-offs in choosing whether to produce somewhat more or somewhat less of a particular product, whether to add a few more workers or lay a few off, whether to invest in more plant and equipment or whether to close down some of existing capacity, and so on -- in their efforts to maximize profits.
This week's choice assessement asks you to look at key trade-offs in US history and evaluate the wisdom of those decisions on a policy level and matters of popular (citizens) choice.

Directions – Actively read the “US Economy: A Brief History” summary at:

www.countrystudies.us/united-states/economy-3.htm

• Identify THREE moments/ periods in US history wherein individuals in US society and/ or the government as a whole participated in or was affected by an economic trade off.

• What was the opportunity cost of this decision?

• Did it advance or restrict social and economic progress at time when this decision was made?
  
  Your assignment may take the form of:
  
  A blog or typed assessment of 250 words or more
  
  A visual chart/ graphic organizer/ comic strip or timeline reflecting all of the ideas above
  A media analysis blog, poster or paper that summarizes the information in a minimum of 150 words and connects the information in the article to that of a recent newscast (include time and date of broadcast or article)

"We Are All Socialists Now" - or are we? Analyzing Obama's stimulus plan

Actively read the Newsweek article entitled “We are all Socialists Now”
http://www.newsweek.com/id/183663/output/print, from last weeks’ edition of Newsweek Magazine. Follow the directions for ONE of the following assessments:

Blog:
Summarize the article and at least one additional resource linked to it on Newsweek.com. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of Obama’s economic stimulus plan. To what extent is the government responsible for recovering the economy in a time of recession/decline? How does this stimulus package compare to Washinton’s response to other recessions in US history? Will the stimulus plan work to recover the national economic crisis? Provide evidence to support your response.

Comic Strip/ Visual Timeline/ Power Point/ Poster:
Create a visual comparison highlighting the details of Obama’s stimulus plan to at least TWO other recession recovery programs in US History (use the Daily News’ “US Economy Timeline if you do not have the printed timeline I distributed in class Friday to help you get started: http://www.nydailynews.com/money/useconomytimeline/ ). Be sure to reflect that you actively read these materials and researched outside sources to include information BEYOND what I provided for you.

Media Analysis
View or listen two at least TWO outside news sources analyzing the stimulus plan. Write a reflection or draft a script for a news broadcast of your own comparing and contrasting different perspectives on the wisdom and fate of Obama’s stimulus plan. You may film the broadcast for extra credit.

Your work must be at least 250 words. Due Monday, Feb 22.
(Note: I had to rewrite these directions as I didn’t save the assignment on my home computer, following either set of directions is fine, e-mail me if you have questions: bridgettefranciscsi@gmail.com)