As an undergraduate Social Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching about Capitalism, Capitalist Modes of Production, History of Capitalism, Consumerism, Materials Economy and its effect on climate change.
Students will learn about the history of capitalism- the factors that led to the creation of a capitalist society and be able to describe the various aspects of a capitalist economy. They will learn how capitalist modes of production have driven consumerism in societies and contributed to a large extent to climate change.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Social Sciences.
(only ‘Introduction’ and the 1st chapter, till pg. 43)
Video micro-lecture
(22 min)
A micro-lecture that describes the linear production and consumption pattern of a capitalist society (United States) that has led to the exploitation of Earth’s finite natural resources.
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Step 1: Topic introduction and discussion
Use the reading, ‘Historical Capitalism with Capitalist Civilization’ (only ‘Introduction’ and the 1st chapter, till pg. 43), by Immanuel Wallerstein to introduce the topic of capitalism, explain the ideology of capitalism, and describe its historical development in societies.
Explain how capitalism has always existed as a historical social process.
Describe how commodification of processes led to the rise in capitalism.
Use the reading to describe different modes of capitalist production such as unequal exchange of goods and vertical integration of processes.
Discuss the factors involved, such as availability of labor, that influence the capitalist mode of production.
Emphasize on the role of the proletariat in the building of the capital.
Finally, describe how a feudal yet egalitarian European society in the 15th century was transformed by the 17th century, with the establishment of a capitalist society.
Discuss the emerging of capitalism in the first industrialized nation- Britain- alongside the agrarian and industrial revolutions.
Explain how social and economic developments led to the rise of capitalism in Britain- transformation from a feudal to a wage-labor society.
Go to the Reading (only ‘Introduction’ and the 1st chapter, till pg. 43)
Step 2: Extend the understanding
Play the video, ‘The Story of Stuff’, by Annie Leonard to describe how capitalism leads to a consumerist society.
Explain how commodification of the capital leads to a materials economy.
Use the video to describe consumerism and to show how it is linked to social and cultural identities of nations.
Explain how the linear production and consumption pattern of the United States that has led to several environmental and social issues.
Describe how the production and consumption of goods release large amounts of greenhouse gases and contribute significantly to climate change.
Step 3: Discuss how capitalism affects climate change
Use the reading, ‘Climate Change and Capitalism’, by Jonathan T. Park, University of Utah, to discuss the link between capitalism and climate change.
Explain how the consumer ideology in a capitalist society results in the overproduction and overconsumption of goods.
Discuss the implications of this: exploitation of natural resources, high energy expenditure, excess waste production and extensive environmental degradation due to pollution.
Emphasize that capitalist modes of production require large scale burning of fossil fuels to meet energy requirements, and these in turn contribute towards global warming.
Thus, discuss with your students how the capitalist model can be modified for a sustainable future: preservation of natural resources and mitigating climate change.
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
What is capitalism?
Describe the global rise of a capitalist society.
What are capitalist modes of production?
What is a materials economy and how does it impact consumption patterns?
How is consumerism increasingly being linked to cultural and social identities?
How has capitalism affected climate change?
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
explain the concepts of capitalism and capitalist modes of production
describe the rise of capitalism and a materials economy
discuss the various factors and aspects of a capitalist society
explain how social and cultural identities are increasingly linked to consumerism
describe the link between capitalism and climate change
If you or your students would like to explore the topic further, this additional resource will be useful.
Reading: A textbook reading, ‘Forces, Relations and Modes of Production’ by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on the theory of Capitalist Production outlined by Karl Marx.
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