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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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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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
Shane Markowitz
Apr 19, 20193 min read
Lesson Plan: Settlements and the Status of Jerusalem in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
As students work through the Israel-Palestine Conflict, two of the central topics worth examining are the matters of Israeli settlements...
Shane Markowitz
Apr 11, 20198 min read
Lesson Plan: Understanding the Israel-Palestine Conflict through Drama in Education
My school - C.S. Lewis Bilingual High School - recently hosted the EDUdrama organization and their team provided a powerful pedagogical...
Shane Markowitz
Jan 30, 20194 min read
Geography Lesson Plan: Examining China's New Silk Road
The question of space - both internal and external - is a central theme constituting the rise of China. And the Belt and Road Initiative...
Shane Markowitz
Jan 16, 20195 min read
Lesson plan: Population pyramids and India's gender imbalance and dowry system
The ability to analyze population pyramids and understand the underlying demographics of particular societies is one of the core skills...
Shane Markowitz
Jan 9, 20193 min read
Geography Lesson Plan: Journey Down the Ganges River
Supporting the lives of half a billion people, the Ganges is one of the most important rivers in the world and also one of the most...
Shane Markowitz
Jan 2, 20194 min read
Geography Lesson Plan: China's Social Credit System
A unit on China in a geography, history, or government course is likely to include an emphasis on the Chinese government's use of...
Shane Markowitz
Dec 19, 20184 min read
Geography Lesson Plan: Minorities in China and the Plight of the Uighurs
Over the past several years, there have been a growing number of reports noting aggressive campaigns of surveillance, intimidation,...
Shane Markowitz
Dec 12, 20184 min read
Geography Lesson Plan: Into the Megacity and Dhaka
The rise of the megacity and the growth of urbanization more generally are characteristic trends of the 21st century. Projections...
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