Political Economy Workshop

Lesson Plan Overview

Curriculum Area

• A-Level History (Key Stage 5)
• Focus: Political Economy of Japan with a particular emphasis on post-World War II developments and modern-day implications.

Lesson Duration

• 90 minutes

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand key historical and economic developments in Japan post-WWII.
2. Evaluate the impact of these developments on Japan’s current political and economic standing.
3. Develop critical thinking skills by analysing and discussing primary sources.
4. Engage in collaborative discussions to articulate and challenge different viewpoints.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Starter Activity: Historical Debate Warm-Up

  • Task: Students will be presented with the question: "What factors contributed most to Japan's economic miracle post-WWII?"
  • Activity: Form small groups and brainstorm key points. One member from each group shares their primary argument with the class.

• Objective: Activate prior knowledge and set the stage for in-depth exploration.

2. Contextual Lecture (20 minutes)

• Topic: An Overview of Japan’s Political Economy

  • Key Points to Cover:
    1. Post-War Reconstruction: The role of US influence and the initial economic policies.
    2. Economic Miracle (1950-1970): Key industries, Zaibatsu/Keiretsu system, and the role of government.
    3. Bubble Economy of the 1980s: Rapid growth and eventual downturn.
    4. Challenges in the 21st Century: Demographics, deflation, and economic stagnation.

• Materials: PowerPoint presentation with key dates, economic data, and historical images.

• Objective: Provide a comprehensive background to facilitate deeper discussion and analysis.

3. Source Analysis Activity (25 minutes)

• Task: Examine primary and secondary sources related to Japan’s economic developments.

  • Materials Provided:
    • Excerpts from government policies and economic plans.
    • Articles and essays by historians and economists.
    • Visual sources such as economic graphs and historical photos.

• Activity Outline:

  1. Annotation: Students individually annotate sources, noting key information and any questions that arise.
  2. Small Group Discussion: Discuss findings within groups, focusing on how each source contributes to understanding Japan’s political economy.
  3. Class Discussion: Each group presents a summary of their findings and classmates ask questions or provide additional insights.

• Objective: Develop analytical skills and enhance understanding through engagement with real-world historical evidence.

4. Critical Discussion (20 minutes)

• Format: Socratic Seminar

  • Topic: "To what extent has Japan's political economy shifted in response to globalisation?"
  • Guiding Questions:
    1. How has globalisation influenced Japan's economic policies?
    2. What are the domestic and international implications of these shifts?
    3. Can Japan's economic model be applied to other countries?

• Preparation: Students prepare arguments and counterarguments using notes from the lecture and source analysis.

• Objective: Foster critical thinking and debate skills.

5. Group Activity: Policy Development (10 minutes)

• Task: Design a modern economic policy to address one of Japan’s current economic challenges (e.g., ageing population, deflation).
  • Format: Small groups create a policy proposal, considering historical context and current trends.
  • Presentation: Groups briefly present their proposals.
• Objective: Apply historical knowledge to contemporary issues and engage in creative problem-solving.

6. Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Activity: Quick Reflection
  • Task: On an exit ticket, students write one key takeaway from the lesson and one question they have for further exploration.
• Objective: Consolidate learning and provide feedback for future lessons.

Assessment and Homework

• Formative Assessment: Observational notes during group activities and class discussions.
• Homework: Write a 500-word essay on one aspect of Japan’s political economy discussed during the lesson.
  • Prompt: "Evaluate the significance of the Zaibatsu/Keiretsu system in Japan's post-WWII economic recovery and growth."

Materials Required

• PowerPoint presentation
• Source packets (primary and secondary sources)
• Annotation supplies (highlighters, sticky notes)
• Exit tickets

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Note to Teachers: Ensure that all electronic and print materials comply with copyright policies and are sourced from reputable educational repositories. Facilitate a respectful and inclusive classroom environment during discussions to encourage diverse perspectives.