Humanities Homework Help

Topic

This week we are focusing on Industrialization. Most of you have already studied this historical process before. I hope that the materials this week offer new perspectives on the topic and that you find the week engaging. Our materials for the week are framed by the question: “Industrialization: Positive or Problematic?” While there is no doubt that our lives have been enhanced by industrialization and technological innovation, it is also important to explore the social consequences of industrial capitalism. We will look at the question from multiple perspectives this week.

Readings, PPT, and Quiz

This week, there is a textbook reading on economic change and the social impact of industrialization. Also, there is a PowerPoint that compliments the readings and sets up our online discussion.

Quizzes are due at 11:59 pm CST on Sunday!

Discussion:

This week, our discussion prompt asks you to integrate three sources: readings, lecture, and a short film: “History of the Last 200 Years in 4 minutes.” You will find the film within the discussion…so click on the link and it will be visible and available. The film is produced by Gapminder World, an organization that makes economics and statistics engaging. Really…it does!

Make sure that you log in regularly to the discussion. While the posts have been excellent, too many folks are posting both of the entries on the same day or within 1-2 days. In order to have a vibrant discussion, we need to have everyone logging in every day and posting twice…at least once in the first half of the week and at least once in the second half. We also need to make sure that everyone is participating!

Blogs:

For your blog this week, you will watch another short Gapminder World video on washing machines…yes, washing machines. The prompt will ask you to think about the benefits of industrialization (and costs) today.

Primary Source Analysis/Written Assignment:

This week, you will access primary sources on a website developed by Cornell University. The website is dedicated to telling the history of the most tragic industrial disaster in American History: the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Make sure that you spend some time on the website. There are audio recordings and visual images, as well as textual sources.

This is a new kind of written assignment this week: Primary Source Analysis Worksheet. I will send out detailed instructions on Monday. For your written assignment, chose ONE of the three sources listed on our blackboard. We will also discuss the fire online in our discussion during the second half of the week.