Wall Street

February 2018 began with massive losses on Wall Street. In this activity, students get a brief introduction to stocks and stock volatility, and consider what impact such stock market losses might have. 

Democracy doesn't begin and end in the voting booth. In readings and discussion, students explore tactics people are using to pressure their elected officials, including the Tea Party on the right and Indivisible groups on the left.   

After a quick quiz, students learn about the candidates' tax proposals and discuss our nation's complex and contentious tax policies.   

What is 'democratic socialism'? Bernie Sanders' presidential bid is raising a question many Americans have never considered. In two readings, students explore Sanders' version of socialism and learn some background about democratic socialism in Europe and the U.S.  

Two student readings and two supplementary readings explore the big banks' faulty paperwork, robo-signers, and freewheeling fraud, which have devastated the lives of millions of Americans.

Three student readings outline the near collapse of the U.S. financial system, the deceptiveactions of brokers and banks, and the financial reform bills Congress is nowo considering.

Student readings explain some of the events leading up to the crisis as well as reactions to it from citizens and politicians. A DBQ asks students to consider and compare opinions on the issue.