HS Economics Reading and Writing Workshop
Reading and Writing Workshop: Economics Unit 2
Focus: Economic Systems, Government Roles, and Market Forces
This workshop integrates public domain works to enhance students' understanding of economic principles while developing critical reading and writing skills aligned with Common Core standards.
Essential Questions:
Reading Selections (Public Domain):
Writing Assignments:1. Argumentative Essay:
Prompt: Should the government play a large role in economic planning, or should markets regulate themselves?
Prompt: How do economic freedoms impact innovation and economic growth?
Prompt: Advise the U.S. government on policies related to public goods and safety nets.
Interactive Activities:
Focus: Economic Systems, Government Roles, and Market Forces
This workshop integrates public domain works to enhance students' understanding of economic principles while developing critical reading and writing skills aligned with Common Core standards.
Essential Questions:
- How do different economic systems impact societies?
- What role does government play in managing the economy?
- How do economic freedoms, public goods, and demand shape markets?
- Reading (RH.11-12.1, RH.11-12.7): Analyze primary and secondary sources on economic systems and policies.
- Writing (WHST.11-12.1, WHST.11-12.4): Develop argumentative and analytical essays based on historical economic texts.
Reading Selections (Public Domain):
- Adam Smith – The Wealth of Nations (1776) [Excerpts]
- Topics: Free markets, division of labor, role of government.
- Connection: Economic Freedoms, Modern Economies.
- Activity: Close reading and discussion on Smith’s "invisible hand" and its relevance today.
- Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels – The Communist Manifesto (1848) [Excerpts]
- Topics: Centrally planned economies, class struggle, government control.
- Connection: Centrally Planned Economies.
- Activity: Comparative analysis of Marx’s critique of capitalism vs. Smith’s views on free markets.
- John Stuart Mill – Principles of Political Economy (1848) [Excerpts]
- Topics: Role of government, taxation, public goods.
- Connection: Providing Public Goods, Providing a Safety Net.
- Activity: Argumentative essay on Mill’s idea of government intervention in the economy.
- Thorstein Veblen – The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899) [Excerpts]
- Topics: Consumer behavior, economic demand, social class.
- Connection: Understanding Demand.
- Activity: Writing task—how does conspicuous consumption influence demand today?
- Franklin D. Roosevelt – 1933 Inaugural Address [Public Domain]
- Topics: Government intervention, economic recovery programs.
- Connection: Providing a Safety Net, Modern Economies.
- Activity: Rhetorical analysis—how did FDR justify expanding government’s economic role?
Writing Assignments:1. Argumentative Essay:
Prompt: Should the government play a large role in economic planning, or should markets regulate themselves?
- Texts: Adam Smith vs. Karl Marx
- Task: Use textual evidence to support an argument on economic systems.
Prompt: How do economic freedoms impact innovation and economic growth?
- Texts: The Wealth of Nations vs. Principles of Political Economy
- Task: Compare the authors’ perspectives and support with modern examples.
Prompt: Advise the U.S. government on policies related to public goods and safety nets.
- Texts: FDR’s speech, John Stuart Mill
- Task: Write a formal memo recommending policy based on historical insights.
Interactive Activities:
- AI-Powered Text Analysis: Use AI tools to summarize and compare economic arguments.
- Socratic Seminars: Discuss readings with a focus on real-world economic applications.
- Debates: Free-market capitalism vs. government intervention—what works best?