Economics Video Lessons: Paul Krugman Interview

These questions are designed to be used with Rachel Maddow's interview of Paul Krugman, an economist who has won the Nobel Prize and who is currently arguing in favor of government spending as a solution to the economic downturn.

The interview lasts ten minutes. It took place on May 1, 2012 and can be streamed from the following web address:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#47256280

The preview file has 4 questions to use with students. The full product has 12 and touches on all the major issues raised during the interview. Questions vary in difficulty. Some require recall only, so that students who paid attention can answer small facts about Krugman's experience as an economist. Other questions require students to understand some of the economic concepts presented in the video.

The concepts Krugman and Maddow discuss include:

Keysian economics
government spending
deficits
austerity
political polarization
income inequality
housing debt
job creation

TEACHING OPTIONS

1) Discuss the economic downturn of 2008-2012. Show the video, pausing for discussion and explanation as needed. Assess student attention and comprehension using the questions provided. Both an Examview file and a word processing file are included so you can easily assess electronically or using paper-and-pencil. All files are editable in case you wish to customize them.

2) Discuss the economic downturn of 2008-2012. Distribute questions to the class to be used as a worksheet they will fill out while they watch the interview. Discuss the questions afterward, providing correct answers and explanations as needed.

Thanks for considering this product. I wish you all the best in your teaching of economics or economic history!

Elise Parker