Share a technology or policy with some unintended consequences

Share a technology or policy with some unintended consequences from its original purpose different from the readings. Be sure to make clear what the original purpose is and how you know that.

Share a technology or policy with some unintended consequences

STS Midterm Learning Commentary
Directions- Please note that for all questions you should look back at the original day in Canvas to review green writing and additional resources such as PowerPoints, class recordings, and extra recordings and incorporate notes from class. Be sure to review and incorporate changes based on instructor comments on earlier versions. Read questions and hints closely and carefully! Your revisions will be compared with the original versions.
Section A Revising GQ Questions

Share a technology or policy with some unintended consequences from its original purpose different from the readings. Be sure to make clear what the original purpose is and how you know that. If you are having trouble coming up with a real life example, feel free to use a science fiction idea from a book, movie or TV show. Be sure to give enough background though so anyone can understand your example. In the revision, much of the credit will be given for your efforts to demonstrate why the unintended consequence occurred and how we might have avoided it using insights from the Healy article.  (See Day #4: Thursday, Sept 3rd Incentives and Unintended Consequences and be sure to also look Day #5 and we covered this more in the actual class).

Consider The Market Forces of Supply and Demand Chapter 4  textbook statement (reading from The Power of Markets Week 2, Day 3 Tuesday, Sept 1st) “prices reflect both the value of a good to society and the cost to society of making the good.”

Discuss some ways that prices may not fully reflect social values and costs (See original Canvas site to make sure you are incorporating necessary readings and supplemental readings. Be sure and incorporate terms that we discussed in class- externalized costs, perceived obsolescence, planned obsolescence). (See Day #6: Thursday, Sept 10th Story of Stuff/ Ecological Footprint for necessary background). {This was the first regular 10 point GQ quiz that was collected-make sure see instructor comments in Canvas}

To what extent do both the two cell phone articles demonstrate “good” science? Please try to put your ideas about cell phones and cancer aside when assessing the two articles. You need to evaluate both articles by reviewing the hybrid CRAAP/Baloney test posted.  Make sure to comment on three of the criteria– authority, accuracy, and purpose.  For authority and accuracy – respond to the highlighted bulleted subquestions. For the purpose, respond to at least to the first subquestion.  Please refer to the journal (the last names are challenging) so we all know which article you are discussing. Remember, the article itself may not tell you everything so you may need to do some outside research (See Day #7: Tuesday, Sept. 15th What is science? For necessary background).

Hint this is an all class discussion starter- use instructor feedback, PowerPoint notes from the discussion this day in Canvas to help revise. Note many students neglected to research the required subquestions outlined in the question.)

Building on #1, evaluate two non-scholarly references in your Story of Stuff bibliography using the Authority and Purpose criteria in the CRAAP/Baloney test. Please note that you won’t always be able to find everything you need in the source itself so you will need to do some digging to discover more about funding sources etc. Try to find what you can and be honest about what you know and don’t know about these criteria.   Please note this is a new question that builds on what you learned on Research Skills Day (See Day #7: Tuesday, Sept 15th What is science? For necessary background).

5.      Define price elasticity of demand in general terms and then list and discuss the factors that determine price elasticity of demand stated in Principles Chapter 5 (pp. 94-95). (See Day #11: Tuesday, Sept 29t Perfect Competition and Power of Elasticities for necessary background). (Note not everyone listed and fully explained all of the factors that affect elasticity in the earlier version so you’ll want to make sure you do that.)
How might taxes or some other market based strategy be used to provide a disincentive to address an externality regarding your Story of Stuff (See Day #12; Thursday, Oct 1st  The Role of Government in a Well-Functioning Market Part I).

7.      Explain some political reason why the U.S. has subsidies for biofuels after a close reading of Naked Economics pp. 182-188 AND watching parts of The Ethanol Effect 2016 PBS.  (In your revision, include insights from considering ALL of the sectors that could be impacted by subsidies for ethanol (corn, ethanol plants, biofuels, and fossil fuels). (See Day#13 Tuesday, Oct. 6th, The role of government in a well-functioning market: Part II ).

List and explain two pros and two cons economically, socially, ecologically of international trade and give an example for each from the readings (You need to use all of the sources to answer this well for the revision (Naked Economics, Ecological Economics, and the videos. You may want to listen the recording as a review.) (Day #14 Thursday, Oct 8th:  Globalization, Labor).

9.      Explain the origin of the claim “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” from insights learned about the history of the apples. Discuss the marketing campaign associated with your product that has broader emotional/societal implications. (Day #15: Tuesday, Oct. 13th The Importance of Cultural and Ecological Dimensions and Marketing Connections ).

Pick one of the yellow in-class questions given in one of the classes that you would like to explore more and revise. Indicate the question, date, why you choose this question, and then give a detailed/improved response from the first version.

Pick a Discussion Starter extra GQ question for another color, other than your own. Then, respond to it carefully using the additional prompts/hints that are being use for revision. Further, extra recordings, and your notes from class. Clearly indicate which class date.

Question: Discuss at least three important criteria in a perfectly competitive market. Which criteria are not in place in the case of the market for energy in Springfield?  Explain and be prepared to help your peers with these concepts in class. Give a real world example of a market that may not be perfectly competitive. Also, explain at least one criterion that may be violated and why it may be violated.

Section B Participation and Class Reflections
1.      Participation

Please revisit the guidelines for participation in this class in the syllabus and answer the following questions:

Part A. Discuss how you are practicing at least three of the criteria described in the participation guidelines outlined in the syllabus. Please be as specific as possible. For example, if you have shared in large group and small group a few times. Let us know the context of this sharing. Comment on how you have achieved at least one of the course objectives through this participation. Be specific. Please give an honest assessment.

Part B.  Discuss, at least, three things you need to work on to improve your participation in the course concerning the participation guidelines and course objectives for the rest of the semester. Please be realistic and strategic here.

 
 
Optional Extra Credit –Please note that the class structure going forward is evolving based on campus guidelines.

This course continues to evolve based on student feedback as well as discussions in the course. Your feedback is much appreciated.

1.      Is there anything about this class structure and content that have helped you achieve the learning goals that I should be sure to maintain as I continue to teach? Likewise, do you have specific and realistic suggestions for this class that would help you achieve the central questions and learning objectives of this class? Please offer specific examples for both.

2.      More generally, is there anything you need to discuss one-on-one so we can help you achieve your goals concerning writing and/or participation before the end of the semester? Please explain in detail.