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Science, Politics, Education, and Society
Speciety
Perspectives on science, politics, education, and society from a social scientist and educator
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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.
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Current events lesson: El Salvador
The recent election in El Salvador provides an opportunity for a mini-lesson or bellringer current events discussion.
Shane Markowitz
Feb 9, 20242 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Feb 2, 20244 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Feb 1, 20243 min read
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Geography Lesson Plan: Borders in South Asia
Students, in this lesson, explore the creation and consequences of political borders in the South Asia region.
Shane Markowitz
Jul 11, 20202 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Jul 9, 20202 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Jul 7, 20203 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Jul 6, 20203 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Jul 5, 20202 min read
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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
Shane Markowitz
Jun 23, 20203 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
May 3, 20202 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
May 1, 20201 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
May 1, 20202 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Apr 24, 20202 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Apr 21, 20202 min read
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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
Shane Markowitz
Apr 15, 20202 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Apr 14, 20203 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Apr 5, 20201 min read
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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...
Shane Markowitz
Jan 5, 20203 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Jan 5, 20203 min read
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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.
Shane Markowitz
Jan 3, 20207 min read
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