Stimulus Material Notes Spring 2017 AP Seminar Adapted from Mr. O’Toole timothy.o'toole@palmbeachschools.org

Derek Thompson Authored “A World Without Work” in the Atlantic (2015) Senior editor at The Atlantic.  He writes about economics, labor markets, and the media. Study at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with a triple major in journalism, political science, and legal studies. He has written for Slate, BusinessWeek and The Daily Beast and has made appearances on CBS News Radio, the BBC, and CNBC.

Thompson on Work in the Future https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/396521/future-work-in-america/

Class Discussion on “ A World Without Work.” (Part 1) Thompson explains that there is a connection between work and culture, how are they connected? And what are the implications of this connection? Explain how Thompson uses Youngstown Ohio to illustrate this connection. How has the nature or work changed over time? What examples does Thompson use and are they effective? What does Thompson predict will happen if/when work disappears? Identify the 3 reasons why Thompson believes that the end-of-work is around the corner? Do you agree with his points? Why or why not? Explain the findings of the 2013 Oxford University study. How does Thompson employ this information to back his argument? Why or how may this information be significant? And who does it effect the most?

Class Discussion on “ A World Without Work.” (Part 2) Thompson makes 3 predictions about the future of employment. What are these predictions and do you agree or disagree with the evidence that he presents? Why do you think that Americans work so hard? What reasons do the Post-Workist provide for this? Do you agree or disagree? And Why? What may be the political effects of a post-work society? What solutions does Thompson present? And are these solutions workable? Identify the lens that Derek Thompson employs in his article. Were theses critical lens effective or not? Why? What themes do you believe run throughout this article? Are there are any themes that you would be interested in exploring further? If so, how would you go about it.

Albert Camus (1913-1960) Camus was born in French Algeria to a Pied Noir  family and studied at the University of Algiers in 1936. He was apart of the Resistance during WWII. A French philosopher that was known to contribute to the branch of philosophy called Absurdism. Absurdism- refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any. Camus stated that individuals should embrace the absurd condition of human existence while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning. In 1957, we won the Noble Prize in literature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQOfbObFOCw

Who is Sisyphus As the legend goes: Sisyphus defied the gods and put Death in chains so that no human needed to die. When Death was eventually liberated and it came time for Sisyphus himself to die, he concocted a deceit which let him escape from the underworld. The Gods decided that his punishment would be to push a rock up a mountain. Once he reached the top, the stone would roll back down the hill again, leaving Sisyphus to start over for eternity. For Camus, Sisyphus is seen as an absurd hero that is condemned to a meaningless task.

Sisyphus as Absurd Hero Acknowledging the truth will conquer it; Sisyphus, just like the absurd man, keeps pushing. Camus claims that when Sisyphus acknowledges the futility of his task and the certainty of his fate, he is freed to realize the absurdity of his situation and to reach a state of contented acceptance.

Discussion Questions for “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus. 1) What did Camus mean when we stated that Sisyphus “had put Death in Chains?” Why was he punished for this? Why does Camus focus on Sisyphus for his study? How can we compare Sisyphus to the common working man? And Why? 2) How is Sisyphus an Absurd Hero? Why does Camus consider him to be this? 3) Why is the moment that Sisyphus pauses before going back down the mountain pivotal? Why does Camus see in this moment? 4) Why is there a duality between the absurd and happiness? How does Camus deal with this issue? What themes are embedded into this text?

British Journal of Cancer (BJC) The British Journal of Cancer (BJC)- Established in 1947, the BJC provides a forum for clinicians and scientists to communicate original research findings that have relevance to understanding the etiology of cancer and to improving patient treatment and survival. Once accepted, papers are published in print and online. Full research papers and short communications are published under five broad headings: -Clinical studies -Translational therapeutics -Molecular diagnostics -Genetics and genomics -Epidemiology

What is a Cohort Study? Cohort Study– it is a particular form of longitudinal study (panel study) that sample a cohort (a group of people who share a defining characteristic, typically who experienced a common event in a selected period, such as birth or graduation), performing a cross-section at intervals through time.  For medicine, it is an analysis of risk factors and follows a group of people who typically, do not have the disease, and uses correlations to determine the absolute risk of subject contraction. It is one type of clinical study design  and should be compared with a cross-sectional study.

Class Discussion Questions 1.) How was the scope of the study established? 2.) Can this same study be applied to other parts of the world? Do you believe the same results are applicable? 3.) Explain aspects of the study that you found interesting and what would you have changed about this study? 4.) What connections between themes and lens can be drawn from this article to the articles that we have already read from the stimulus material? 5.) What further questions does this study bring up? How can those questions be addressed in the future?

Richard Nixon (President from 1969-1974) In the 1968, Richard Nixon vowed that he would reassert “Law and Order” in America. He wanted to move America past the radicalism of the 1960’s and reassert stability at home and create a more stable order in the world. June 1970, Nixon announced the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Responsible for Soviet-American Détente. Reopened Relations with China. The Water Gate Scandal (1972-1974)

Discussion Questions for “Address to the Nation on Labor Day” by Richard Nixon. How does Nixon identify the competitive spirit? Why does he believe this is a uniquely American traits? (Do you agree or disagree? And why?) Explain the work ethic? Are there any comparison that you can draw from past articles? Explain the context in which Nixon is making this speech? How does Nixon purpose we change our view towards work/labor? Why is this? Explain the connection between work and purpose? How does Nixon respond to this connection? What are some connection that can be drawn from this article and the other stimulus materials. What are the major themes within the article?

“We Can Do It” (Rosie the Riveter) image by J. Howard Miller

Background of “We Can Do it” Wartime propaganda poster created in 1943. Wasn’t really that popular during WWII. (Rediscovered in 1980s) Assumed to call upon women workers to join the war effort. During the war, image was not for recruitment but to exhort already hired women to work harder.

How WWII Changed the Role of Women in the Labor Force

Laissez Faire Economists Adam Smith Wrote Wealth of Nations. Created the foundations of Free Market economic theory. Believed Gov’t should stay out of economy Free Market Supply and Demand help the consumer.

Discussion Questions for Wealth of Nations Identify the author’s argument, main, or thesis. Explain Adam Smith’s line-of-reasoning by identifying claims used to build the argument and the connections between them. Evaluate the effectiveness of the evidence that Adam Smith uses to support his claims made in the argument.

Creating Your Own Research Question