October - Journeyman

For the month of October our focus will be Virtue.  In Geo-Conquest, we will specifically be learning...

• A virtuous society is necessary for liberty to be preserved
• About various forms of government and how they impact the nations' citizens
• About communism, socialism, and capitalism - in depth.

To be prepared for class, please complete the following:

• Why is capitalism better than socialism?  Watch a 14-year-old boy explain.  (5 min)
• Listen to Tibor Aranyosi tell what it was like to live in Hungary under communistic rule in the 1950s.   (20 min)
• Watch Kitty Werthmann explain the transition to socialism in Austria in the 1930s.   (30 min)
• Read pages 91-119 in Just and Holy Principles. Find at least one TREASURE from each of the 3 talks that you feel inspired to share with the class.  
• Read principles 9-12 in The 5,000 Year Leap
• Review the forms of government (posted earlier on this blog).  We're playing a game with these, so study up! 
• Find an example of a communistic society in history. Try to find one you didn't know about before now. Learn as much as you can about this! List realities for the average citizen in the areas of home ownership, small business ownership, education level, income level, and medical care. It's fascinating to study how the form of government impacts society and contrast it with the society in which we live. Here are a few examples you could look at (but there are MANY more):

Kampuchea (Cambodia) - 1970s

Hungary - 1950s
Laos - 1970s
Cuba - 1960s
North Korea - 1940s
China
Egypt
Soviet Union
Poland (first to break free from Soviet Union)
East Germany (under Soviet Union)

Some examples of things to pay attention to as you study:

• Time period - the idea of communism has persisted throughout the ages.
• What was life like for the people before it became communistic?
• What was life like for people while it was communistic?
• What was life like for people after communism ended (if applicable)?
• If there was a revolution, why were the people inspired to revolt?
• Did communism solve the problems the society was facing when it accepted communism?

Places to look for information:

• Books (ask around for suggestions)
• Documentaries
• Interview someone who has lived under a communistic form of government
  

Geography Inspirements (Thanks, Tova, for coming up with these!!!):

"Asia was the birthplace of most of the world's mainstream religions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastranism, as well as many other beliefs." I'd never thought of that before! Let's get into Asia through their religions.

• Watch this video then read the article about what the Church is doing in Asia 
• Label all the countries on this map of Asia, and look up each of their national religions (We'll be playing a game with them in class).

NOTE: As I mentioned in class, I am biased! I will be teaching what I believe to be right and true.  I do not consider it my job to give the opposing views, but rather, to teach truth - as revealed by apostles, prophets, and historical evidence.  If you are interested in being sure my view of truth is in line with yours, I invite parents and youth to ask! And parents are always welcome to sit in on my class (although I'd prefer that you leave the discussion to the youth).