Speciety

Perspectives on science, politics, education, and society from a social scientist and educator

About

Speciety is managed and edited by Dr. Shane Markowitz (PhD, Political Science, Central European University). The site provides a space for analysis and discussion of developments in the areas of science, politics, education, and society. It also serves as a platform for sharing teaching materials that motivate curiosity, critical engagement, and understanding of phenomena in the world.

Profile and Context

Teaching Resources

Shane Markowitz

Feb 92 min read

Current events lesson: El Salvador

The recent election in El Salvador provides an opportunity for a mini-lesson or bellringer current events discussion.

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Geography lesson plan: the legacy of European colonialism

Shane Markowitz

Feb 24 min read

Geography lesson plan: the legacy of European colonialism

This lesson engages students with different examples of European colonialism and the effects of these practices on people past and present.

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Geography lesson plan: Lebanon's sectarianism, turbulent governance, and Hezbollah

Shane Markowitz

Feb 13 min read

Geography lesson plan: Lebanon's sectarianism, turbulent governance, and Hezbollah

This lesson focuses on Lebanon, familiarising students with the country's sectarian divisions and its effects on the country's governance.

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Geography Lesson Plan: Borders in South Asia

Shane Markowitz

Jul 11, 20202 min read

Geography Lesson Plan: Borders in South Asia

Students, in this lesson, explore the creation and consequences of political borders in the South Asia region.

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Geography Lesson Plan: the Ice Stupas of Ladakh

Shane Markowitz

Jul 9, 20202 min read

Geography Lesson Plan: the Ice Stupas of Ladakh

As Ladakh grapples with climate change, this lesson engages students with a local solution that reflects cultural and economic patterns.

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Shane Markowitz

Jul 7, 20203 min read

Lesson Plan: the Gender Fishbowl

In this lesson, students learn about the impact of gender roles and practice empathy by participating in a “Gender Fishbowl” activity.

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Lesson plan: Turkification, prejudice, and integration in Germany

Shane Markowitz

Jul 6, 20203 min read

Lesson plan: Turkification, prejudice, and integration in Germany

This lesson plan examines the story of Özlem Gezer to engage with the impact of stereotypes and prejudices on the lives of people.

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Lesson plan: Understanding the danger of the single story

Shane Markowitz

Jul 5, 20202 min read

Lesson plan: Understanding the danger of the single story

Employing Adichie's Ted Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, this lesson guides student engagement on stereotypes and prejudices.

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Lesson Plan: Hurricane Katrina, Race, and an Unequal Recovery

Shane Markowitz

Jun 23, 20203 min read

Lesson Plan: Hurricane Katrina, Race, and an Unequal Recovery

This is part three of a lesson plan series on Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. It is focused on exploring the unequal recovery that ensued

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Contemporary Issues in China and Japan Lesson Set: Political, Economic, and Environmental Patterns

Shane Markowitz

May 3, 20202 min read

Contemporary Issues in China and Japan Lesson Set: Political, Economic, and Environmental Patterns

This set of lessons engages with central themes of world and human geography (environment, politics, and economy) in China and Japan.

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Enhancing student resilience through collaborative activities during pandemic

Shane Markowitz

May 1, 20201 min read

Enhancing student resilience through collaborative activities during pandemic

Remote learning poses challenges for student well-being and mental health but schools can help students through collaborative assignments.

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European leaders get approval spike during pandemic, once in generation opportunity to transform EU

Shane Markowitz

May 1, 20202 min read

European leaders get approval spike during pandemic, once in generation opportunity to transform EU

Contrary to doomsayers, we argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for the development of a more cohesive EU.

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Contemporary Issues in South Asia: Political and Economic Patterns, Nature, and Society

Shane Markowitz

Apr 24, 20202 min read

Contemporary Issues in South Asia: Political and Economic Patterns, Nature, and Society

South Asia is a dynamic region that provides an effective vehicle for student exploration of core themes of world and human geography.

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Global Poverty and Sustainable Development Lesson Set

Shane Markowitz

Apr 21, 20202 min read

Global Poverty and Sustainable Development Lesson Set

This lesson set was designed to enhance student knowledge of and engagement with the themes of global poverty and sustainable development.

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Stereotypes, prejudices, and gender roles lesson set: power and change

Shane Markowitz

Apr 15, 20202 min read

Stereotypes, prejudices, and gender roles lesson set: power and change

This set of activities was designed to enhance student knowledge of and engagement with the topic of stereotypes, prejudices, and gender rol

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No approval bump for Trump during pandemic — and it’s not simply because of perceived inept response

Shane Markowitz

Apr 14, 20203 min read

No approval bump for Trump during pandemic — and it’s not simply because of perceived inept response

All around the world, political leaders are receiving significant approval bumps during the COVID-19 pandemic. But not Trump. Here's why.

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An Environment and Climate Change Lesson Set: Causes, Consequences, Solutions, and Youth Engagement

Shane Markowitz

Apr 5, 20201 min read

An Environment and Climate Change Lesson Set: Causes, Consequences, Solutions, and Youth Engagement

This set of activities was designed to enhance student knowledge and engagement with environmental issues and climate change.

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Lesson Plan: Hurricane Katrina, Its Impact and the Physical and Social Vulnerability of New Orleans

Shane Markowitz

Jan 5, 20203 min read

Lesson Plan: Hurricane Katrina, Its Impact and the Physical and Social Vulnerability of New Orleans

Natural disasters are complicated phenomena that are, in fact, not simply "natural" but rather often also social in their origins and...

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Lesson Plan: Hurricanes as Natural and Social Disasters

Shane Markowitz

Jan 5, 20203 min read

Lesson Plan: Hurricanes as Natural and Social Disasters

This is part one of a Hurricane Katrina lesson plan series and is focused on background information about hurricanes and their impact.

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Populism's Global Rise: How globalization can be used to curtail rather than feed the phenomenon

Shane Markowitz

Jan 3, 20207 min read

Populism's Global Rise: How globalization can be used to curtail rather than feed the phenomenon

The rise of populism has been a significant force shaping global politics. This article explores how globalization can help curb populism.

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