Chapter 2, Life at the Top Isn't Just Better, It's Longer
Chapter 3, A Marriage of Unequals.
Neither of these chapters should take too long to read. Chapter 2, compares the experiences of three persons, representing the typical division of Americans into three classes. Each person suffers a life-threatening heart attack. The course of action or perhaps inaction each follows a distinct path. Remember that this book was written before "Obamacare". legislation was passed. As you read, think about both lifestyle choices and economic resources. How does social class affect a person's chance for a long and healthy life? Click on the scrolling images below to hear an interactive slide-show.
In one of our class discussions I asked you to think a little bit about what would happen or how your family or friends would feel if you married someone from another social class. We didn't much going in terms of that discussion, but that's o.k., because now we can come back to it. Chapter Three, A Marriage of Unequals recounts the story of the two people pictured in the image below. Can you guess from the picture which comes from which class. Obviously guess before you read. Is there anything about the life history of this cross-class couple which helped make the marriage work? Click on the image to watch a slide show about the couple.
Happy Birthday, Dear Abraham, Happy Birthday to You!
Did you know whose birthday happened this day in 1809? Before you saw the header above, I mean When I was growing up I did. We got BOTH Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays off. Now we get the President's day mashup instead.
While you're working on your Samaritan paper. I'd like to have you do a little Internet project. Social class economic definitions are different from place to place. The County Ranking Map will take you to a feature from the New York Times when you click on it. Do so, and after you reach the website work with the interactive features. Here's what I'd like to have you do.
Choose one county from each end of the spectrum (not necessarily the absolute best or worst, but avoid the color in the middle). You will note that it opens a table with the information about the county, like the one for Fayette County, IL, to the right.
Then go to Google Maps and visit the county and one of the towns in it. Locate something interesting, Use streetview, if you can.
Copy the link, and add it to your resource folder. I'll give a demo in class.
Chapter 2, Life at the Top Isn't Just Better, It's Longer
