Version 1.0 (September 2020)
Overview
This lesson is a creative way to look at the limitations of the model of humanity at the heart of mainstream economics - rational economic man, or ‘homo economicus’. The lesson centres around the video Humanity vs Rational Economic Man: A Puppet Rap Battle and the students are invited to review historical and academic sources that underpin the lyrics of the rap. The lesson can be done as one 90 minute lesson or as a pre-class homework and a single 45 minute lesson. There is also the opportunity for further creative projects for students to write and perform their own rap battles.
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Lesson Outcomes
- Understand the assumptions behind rational economic man
- Learn about the limitations of this depiction of humanity
- Creatively express their own ideas through rap
Why do it?
- The lesson is a great opportunity to appeal to a different learning style through the powerful learning medium of rap
- The playfulness makes the lesson engaging and memorable
- It gives students the opportunity to create their own portrait of humanity for 21st century economics
Who is it for?
Educators | Students aged 16+
How long does it take?
45 - 90 minutes
How many people is it for?
10 - 50
What materials do I need?
- Projector / screen to show video
- Handouts of the lyrics to the rap
- Handouts of the breakout groups
Acknowledgements
Original animation idea, storyline, references and lesson plan, Kate Raworth
Lesson plan written by Rob Shorter and Kate Raworth at DEAL
Puppet designer Emma Powell
Songwriter Simon Panrucker
Additional contributions from Andrew Fanning, Carlota Sanz, Peter Bullock and Stephanie Leite
Links
Open the lesson plan in Google Docs
Open the lyrics to the rap in Google Docs
Open the guide to breakout groups in Google Docs
Alexandra Cook
London, England, United Kingdom
I'd like to bring doughnut economics into my KS3 Geography / KS5 Politics curriculum. Keen to collaborate with other educators.