TASK ON TODAY’S ECONOMY
Directions: Research your questions and/or specifics and create a teachable lesson in power point
form. Most lessons may be used for any country, region, world organization or group.
Lesson # 1
Introduction Economic “A”
Define Supply, demand, trade-offs, opportunity costs, production possibilities frontier, value, utility, and wealth.
Compare consumer goods, capital goods, durable goods, nondurable goods.
How do these terms drive the market?
What is meant by the standard of living?
Compare countries of study standards of living.
Discuss the socio-economic classes and what income ranges compose the lower, middle and upper classes.
Define elastic and inelastic demand. Compare these concepts.
Lesson #9
Introduction Lesson “B”
Businesses & Mergers-
United States
Compare sole proprietorship, partnership, corporations and show the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Compare Horizontal and vertical mergers? When are they used and why?
How are conglomerates different from other types of businesses? Give an example.
What role do labor unions have? Show the pro and cons of labor unions in business?
Explain the MNC’s “outsourcing”. Why does this happen? Who is often blamed?
How has government regulation changed/ not changed in the 20th-21st century regarding business?
Lesson #17
Economic Lesson “C”
Describe the 3 stages of production, increasing returns, diminishing returns, and negative returns.
How is pricing determined?
What are rebates?
Define and explain price ceilings and price floors. When are they applicable?
How does competition impact pricing?
How do monopolies exist and in what capacity?
Describe the United States acts of Congress passed to decrease the growth of monopolies, Sherman Anti-Trust, Clayton Anti-trust, Federal Trade, and Robinson-Patman. When were they created and for which industries?
Lesson #2
Government Solutions on Global Recession
How has your country/region attempted to rectify the challenges of the global recession?
How have each of the economic sectors been impacted?
What type of economic system does your country currently have?
What type of economic system is the country adopting?
Which population group is being hurt the most? Why?
What are international organizations doing to prevent a total economic collapse of your region/country?
Lesson #10
Economic Liberalization vs. Economic Socialization
· Who created the theory of laissez-faire and capitalism?
· Who created the theories of socialism and communism?
· Describe the motivators of the theories?
· Are the theories incomplete and if so, why?
· How have these concepts impacted current globalization?
· How are these concepts impacted by the current global recession?
· Which countries classify themselves as market, socio-market and socialist?
Lesson #18
Global Greenhouse Effects
How are green house gases impacting the economy?
What movements have been made globally to improve recycling?
Which companies have been created which produce goods from recycled goods?
How have post-industrial, industrial and transitional industrial countries differed in their carbon footprints?
How can recycling be a money maker for countries and for individuals?
How might recycling hinder or be costly for economies?
What jobs are considered Green Collar Jobs?
Lesson #3
Homelessness- United States
· Why are people today homeless?
· Show statistics and migration reports.
· How has the problem with homelessness impacted today’s culture?
· What are tent cities and where are they located?
· What is happening to homeless children? Where do they go to school? Do they have healthcare? How do these problems vary from state to state?
· How is the federal and/or state governments helping homeless adults and children?
· What is the current state of our homeless shelters?
Lesson #11
Business Growth and Commerce, MNC’s
· What type of companies (factories) received bailout money from the United States?
· What justification was given for these companies to receive bailout money?
· How is the bailout money being used?
· How are white and blue collar workers being impacted?
· Describe the justification for layoffs.
· How have the MNC’s changed their product or service to meet the challenges of a slowing economy?
· How have these companies impacted the New York Stock Exchange?
Lesson #19
Unemployment, Layoffs, Standard of Living, Poverty- United States
Statistics, Charts
Types of layoffs?
Where is it happening?
How is it happening?
Describe the overall impacts.
How do wage earnings compare to countries abroad?
Show reports from National Bureau of Statistics.
What types of jobs are being lost?
What are the unemployed options?
Which economic sectors are losing the most jobs and why?
Lesson #4
Recessions & Depressions
What are the definitions of both?
How do economic analysts chart these realities?
How and why do these trends occur?
Other causes and effects of these trends.
What is the state of our current global recession?
How are governments working to improve the economy?
What methods are working?
What methods are not working?
What is the position of the IMF, WB, EU and UN on the global recession?
Lesson #12
Taxes & GDP- United States
Explain the current status tax system.
How have taxes and GDP been impacted by the overall economic slump?
How are tax dollars being used by the local, state, and federal government?
Why is the value of the USD low compared to other foreign currencies such as the Euro?
How do tax refunds work?
How do tariffs work?
When are tariffs applied?
How do tariffs hinder or help a countries economy?
Which organizations are based on extinguishing tariffs are why?
Lesson #20
Science and Technology- United States
How are Energy plans changing?
How are Energy Conditions and Policies improving the United States response to being less dependent on oil?
Who is responsible for the research?
Where, how and why is certain research being conducted?
What is the current Presidential administrations position on energy?
What types of Energy programs are growing and why?
How might tax rebates increase the household use of alternative energies?
What will a 21st century home look like? Be specific.
Lesson #5
Leadership Styles
Chose two leaders
What were their economic goals?
Compare their economic policy.
How did their economic policy impact socio-economic classes?
How was propaganda, international or domestic policy different?
How have these leaders used international organizations to achieve their goal?
To what extent were these leaders economic policies “successful” in attaining their goals?
Lesson #13
Banking Industry
Why is the Banking Industry blamed for the recession?
How is the industry impacted by the economic slump?
What unique position is the government in to allow for lending?
How are interest rates on loans and investments being impacted?
How is the banking industry impacting the average citizen?
Can people get approved for loans? Is lending taking place? Why, why not?
Lesson #21
Healthcare
When and why was Medicare and Medicaid established? For whom?
Compare the United States and the UK’s Healthcare system in visual diagram.
Are the Medicare and Medicaid programs working? Why, why not?
How does the government try to cut these healthcare program expenses? Is it working? Why, why not?
What do many people have to do to collect these healthcare benefits? Why?
What is the role of Pharmaceutical companies on the American Healthcare system?
Lesson #6
Mortgages- United States
What is a mortgage?
What is a subprime rate and an interest rate?
Compare the types of mortgages, Balloon, jumbo, Adjustable, fixed, fixed-adjustable, interest-only
What happens when people do not pay their mortgage?
What is an FHA loan, how do they vary from other loans/mortgages?
What are foreclosures?
How many Americans are currently in foreclosure?
Which states have the highest foreclosure rates and why?
What is the government doing to stop homes from going into foreclosure?
Lesson #14
Music Industry- United States
Show travel expenses of bands, local, state and international.
Chart CD sales from 1990- today
Show the effect of illegal downloading on the music industry
How does downloading effect traveling banks?
Show ticket sales, concerts
How is Ticketmaster a legal monopoly?
Discuss the controversy on Ticketmaster today
Discuss the controversy with Ticketmaster and Pearl Jam in the 1990’s.
How has the global recession impacted the industry?
Lesson #22
Sporting Events
How much does construction of new football and baseball stadiums cost?
Who pays for this construction?
What is the current controversy regarding Citifield and the New Yankees Stadium regarding ticket sales and food prices?
What is free- agency and how has Free-agency changed the game of baseball?
Which sports have the highest and lowest paid players? Why?
How much does it cost the average family of four to go to a sporting event?
How much money can a famous athlete make in endorsements?
Lesson #7
Poverty- United States
How many Americans are said to be living in and below poverty lines?
How do these numbers vary from state to state?
What services are available to people living in poverty? (food stamps, health insurance)
How can one of the richest countries in the world have high numbers of its citizens living in poverty?
Which non-profit companies are dedicated to helping the homeless and what are they doing?
Lesson #15
Stock Market- United States
· What are the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, S&P?
· Define Stock vs. Mutual Fund vs. Retirement Account.
· Describe the different types of stocks? ( preferred, common)
· Why does the value of a stock go up and down?
· Compare the types of investments, Pension, 403B, 401K, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA.
· What happens to investments when a company goes bankrupt?
Lesson #23
Taxes- United States
Define proportional tax, progressive tax, regressive tax, excise tax, VAT tax, sales tax and income tax.
What is the current debate of the tax system and tax structure?
Compare the tax reforms of 1981 and 1997.
What is the current argument of the US adopting a flat-tax?
What methods are available to the wealthiest people in avoiding paying taxes?
Describe the tax challenges in New York State compared to the rest of the country.
Lesson #8
Credit Cards- United States
How much credit card debt are Americans said to have?
How many credit cards does the average American have?
What does “pre-approve” mean?
How does a person get into credit card debt?
What is in the fine print of credit cards?
What are the average interest rates of credit cards?
What happens if a person misses a credit card payment?
What is revolving debt?
How do people get out of credit card debt?
Lesson #16
Car Industry
· What is happening to the car industry in the United States and abroad? Why?
· Why are car industries receiving bailouts money from the federal government?
· Where conditions given to the companies for receiving this money?
· How are the companies using this money?
· Why are the costs of domestic cars and foreign cars different?
· Compare the manufacturing, marketing and models of one foreign and one domestic car company.
Lesson #24
Bankruptcy Laws- United States
· Compare the difference between Chapter 11 and Chapter 7.
· Why are bankruptcy laws becoming more stringent?
· Who declares bankruptcy?
· How do people get into bankruptcy?
· How does a person recover?
· Chart bankruptcy statistics from companies and individuals.
· When were these laws created?
· How have bankruptcy laws changed over time and why?
· What are the benefits and consequences of declaring bankruptcy?
Lesson #25
Food Prices- United States
Why have food prices skyrocketed in recent years?
How are the prices of basic staples controlled by the government? Why?
Why are farmers paid not to farm?
What is the US’s main export of food?
Why are domestic food products begin pushed in advertisements?
How are migrant workers impacted food prices?
Which food industries do migrant workers impact the most? Why?
Which types of food products does the US import the most? Why?
Lesson #26
Individual Topic of Choice
Collaborate with teacher and create topic and focus questions.
Lesson #27
Individual Topic of Choice
Collaborate with teacher and create topic and focus questions.
RUBRIC REQUIREMENTS
EXCELLENT
100-90%
GOOD
89- 80%
SATISFACTORY
79-65%
Graphics used appropriately; greatly enhance the topic and aid in comprehension; are clear, crisp and well situated on the page. Appearance is stellar. Must have 20-15 slides.
Graphics used appropriately most of the time; most graphics selected enhance the topic, are of good quality, and are situated in logical places on the page. Must have 18-12 slides.
Graphics used inappropriately and excessively; graphics poorly selected and don’t enhance the topic; some graphics are blurry and ill-placed. Has 10-8 slides.
Reflects essential information to category; is logically arranged; concepts succinctly presented; no misspellings or grammatical errors. Information is accurate, pertains to category questions and overall research goals.
Reflects most of the essential information; is generally logically arranged; concepts presented without too many excess words; fewer than three misspellings or grammatical errors.
Contains extraneous information; is not logically arranged; contains numerous spelling and grammatical errors.
Easy to read/ appropriately sized; no more than three different fonts; amount of text is appropriate for AP audience; boldface used for emphasis.
Most text is easy to read; uses no more than four different fonts; amount of text generally fits intended audience.
Font too small to read easily; more than four different fonts used; text amount is excessive for intended audience.
The sequence of information is logical. Menus and paths to most information are clear, direct and accurate.
The sequence of information is somewhat logical. Menus and paths are confusing and flawed.
The sequence of information is not logical. Menus and paths to information are not evident.
All sources are properly cited within the project according to MLA style.
Most sources are properly cited within the project according to MLA style.
Few sources are properly cited within the project according to MLA style.
Clear evidence that higher level thinking skills were used in the creation of this project
Some evidence that higher level thinking skills were used in the creation of this project.
Little evidence that higher level thinking skills were used in the creation of this project.
Subject knowledge is evident throughout the project. All information is clear, appropriate, and correct.
Subject knowledge is evident in much of the project. Most information is clear, appropriate, and correct.
Some subject knowledge is evident. Some Information is confusing, incorrect, or flawed.
Communicates ideas with enthusiasm, proper voice projection, appropriate language, and clear delivery.
Communicates ideas with proper voice projection. Adequate preparation and delivery.
Some difficulty communicating ideas, due to voice projection, lack of preparation, or incomplete work
TASK Project must be submitted on Moodle by 7am Monday, June 1, 2009. Presentations begin that Monday.
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