Charter Cities

Hey, if we had a regular class, I would have been yakking away, right?  And, if you have been in my regular classes, you also know that I bring in videos that I think enrich the understanding .....
So, here is the video that would have shown in the context where we are in the course now.  It is a wonderful talk by Paul Romer, who is a Stanford economist. (If the embedded video does not show up in the email, head to the notes page for the class.)



If you get excited with this and wish to discuss it, I am all ready.  If you merely want more info, then check out his website primarily about this topic. 
On the other hand, if you decide not to watch the video, well, unlike the regular class, I will never know :-)

Question for Essay 1

Hey, I have meditated (and been sufficiently medicated with caffeine!) and have figured out the way in which you can demonstrate your understanding of the concepts thus far.  I mean it here that it is an opportunity for you--I don't believe in the incorrect notion that students have to be "tested" ....

Through your responses to DQ1 and DQ2, we have already identified that there is a link between urbanization and economic transformation.  This relationship is not something new, and can be traced even back to the time when humans figured out that settled, permanent agriculture is a lot more beneficial than is a nomadic existence.
So, is the relationship strictly one-way, or does it work both ways?  I.e.,:

• Is urbanization a result of changes in the economic aspects?, or
• Did (does?) urbanization trigger economic transformation?, or
• Is there a reinforcing relationship between urbanization and economic changes?

Any, or all, of the resources that are listed for the first three weeks of the term will help you think through this, and will help you articulate your thesis.
In addition, you need to get at least one other authoritative reference to support your arguments.  This reference can be an article in a "scholarly journal", or a publication from a think-tank, or an analytical report in a newspaper, .... the bottom-line is that the source should be credible and considered authoritative enough.

As you write the essay, and definitely after you finish it, compare it with the rubric that I will use to evaluate your essays.  This way, you can then amend your essay if appropriate. And when you are all done, email your essay as an attachment tome--not to the class.

The deadline?  As stated in the contract for this class, your first essay is due before 8:00 am on October 20th.

It does not mean that you cannot ask me questions.  feel free to check with me as you progress along with the essay--my job is not to "test" you but to help you understand the issues and to also assist you in articulating that understanding you have gained.

Excited enough?  What are you waiting for then? :-)

Are you ready for Essay 1?

Interesting set of readings this week also, right?

Ok, first, I have recapped the first two weeks, with my rejoinders to your responses to DQ1 and DQ2, through a video clip.  Yes, I got the microphone to work--watch the video to find out how I made it work.
So, click here for the video, and a couple of hyperlinks I have provided in case you want to follow up with more info.
Maybe you will have to adjust the volume level in your computer to make sure you can hear me, and to get past my accent as well :-)

Ok, about the Essay 1 question itself?  I will email that to you tomorrow.  Keep reading, and email me questions; I am simply waiting for opportunities to go on and on and on and .....

A quick recap of two weeks, and more

Below this embedded YouTube clip, I have provided a few links that you might want to follow-up on, if you choose to.


First, the Onion clip that I refer to :-)

Historic ‘Blockbuster’ Store Offers Glimpse Of How Movies Were Rented In The Past

The Time magazine cover story on Detroit (I have the date of the issue wrong in the video!)
A very recent update on the controversy over Rome's population numbers