Review
Review the assigned reading to prepare for this discussion.
 Political Theory (00:06:33) (https://www.youtube.com/embed/5-
JQ17X6VNg?rel=0&autoplay=1&iv_load_policy=3&start=0)
American society is wrestling with divergent views on economic justice and fairness.
Although previous generations focused on issues related to equal treatment under the law
(e.g. civil rights and racial discrimination), current debate is centering on providing economic
equality for all citizens. If necessary, this would involve redistributing wealth from financially
advantaged individuals to provide a liveable income for the less advantaged.
Respond
American society is wrestling with divergent views on economic justice and fairness.
Although previous generations focused on issues related to equal treatment under the law
(e.g. civil rights and racial discrimination), current debate is centering on providing economic
equality for all citizens. If necessary, this would involve redistributing wealth from financially
advantaged individuals to provide a liveable income for the less advantaged.
 Succinctly describe your view on economic justice, equality, and opportunity.
 How do your views on these topics align with John Rawls’ theory of justice?
 How might Rawls’ theory about moral or ethical frameworks differ from what you have
already learned in this course?
Requirements
 Initial posts: 150 words
 Cite two sources in your response.
Discuss
Choose one person who agrees (more or less) with your position and one who does not.
Move the conversation forward by asking a question that you think someone on the other
side of the issue may ask (if applicable).
 Use Scripture and course material to support your response.

Discussion 6 | The Great Depression (150 words)
Complete assigned reading to prepare for this week’s discussion and assignment.
 Read The American Nation: A History of the United States, Volume 2: Since 1865
o Chapter 26: The Great Depression and the New Deal: 1929–1939
o Chapter 27: A Second World War: 1941–1945
Review
Review this week’s resources in preparation for the discussion.
Respond
America has had many economic difficulties, but nothing comes close to the sustained, deep
troubles of the Great Depression. Republican President Herbert Hoover tried to address
problems one way, Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt tried to address problems
another way, and various other figures called for other solutions, some of them radical and
even violent.
Using material from your readings:
1. Compare one official response (either the Hoover administration’s OR the Roosevelt
administration’s) to one of the more extremist responses. In your comparison, summarize
the two responses that you are choosing to address and critique the value of these
responses. (Remember, in an academic setting, critiquing is not the same as being overtly
critical.)
2. In addition, explain your own thoughts on how government should—or should not—
address economic problems in today’s society.
Discuss
 Post at least two substantive responses to your peers.
 Responses should help you and your peers help make meaning of the reading,
demonstrate active participation in academic discourse, and express ideas with clarity.
 Responses could include suggestions for further resources, questions of clarification, or
providing context and insight. Avoid simple posts of agreement; if you agree, explain why,
and then thoughtfully further the conversation.
Discussion Instructions

 Post a substantive response to the prompt by the first deadline shown in the weekly
overview text.
 Engage in discussion with peers about their original posts in an exchange of ideas,
information, and perspectives that continues through the second deadline shown in the
weekly overview text.
 Posts and responses made after the academic week will not count toward your grade.
 Always check your forum posts for spelling and grammar errors. Click the link in the
Assignment Helps to learn how to spell-check your forum posts.
 Always refer to your course syllabus (opens in a new window) for details on grading
criteria and the university’s late work policy.