| Definition |
How has affluence been defined throughout history?
What are three historical examples of paradoxes of affluence? |
Does the definition of the humanities change in more and less affluent school districts?
How is affluence depicted in the humanities? |
How is the definition of affluence influenced by advances in science and technology?
To what extent does affluence define the degree to which people worldwide have access to technology? |
How do social scientists define affluence?
How is affluence defined by developed, developing, and undeveloped nations?
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To what degree should business determine the definition of affluence in a nation?
How do different nations define the terms upper class, middle class, and lower class? |
| Fine Arts |
What has been the relationship between affluence and the development of great art?
How has the development of the terra cotta warriors, the pyramids, the sculpture of David, the Sistine Chapel, the Taj Mahal, "The Four Seasons", and the works of Shakespeare been influenced by wealthy or powerful patrons? |
How does affluence affect the standards and evaluation of the fine arts?
How does the democratization of art ownership influence the standards and evaluation of the fine arts? |
How was the science of human gross anatomy influenced by the artists of the Renaissance?
In what ways did this contribute to the development of modern medicine?
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Who are the great arts patrons of the 21st century? How did they earn their money?
To what extent are museums and theatres obsolete in contemporary society?
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To what extent is it desirable to have sports stadiums and arts facilities named for businesses?
What are the benefits of having businesses set aside a percentage of their budgets to purchase fine art for their headquarters?
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| Health |
To what extent has affluence protected the wealthy during outbreaks of plague?
What role has affluence played in the treatment and development of cures for influenza, tuberculosis, and polio?
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How does access to the humanities in affluent societies contribute to good mental health?
To what extent does access to the humanities contribute to our collective health?
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How can we apply new knowledge of human nutrition and disease processes to reducing our risk factors for chronic diseases?
Why has eliminating some diseases led to the development of new strains that resist medicines developed by affluent societies?
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To what degree is it desirable to have universal health care in a society?
Why are diseases that had been eradicated making a comeback in both developed and developing nations?
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How have businesses determined who should be insured? How and why has this changed over time?
How successful have wellness programs been in the business world?
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| Economic Policy |
Has economic policy historically reflected affluence, or has affluence reflected economic policy?
What were the similarities and differences between the economic policies of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton?
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Should affluent nations set aside a percentage of their budgets for the purchase of art for public display?
What is the difference in public support for the humanities in developed, developing, and underdeveloped nations?
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In what ways will the aging "baby boom" generation and "generation X" impact national economic policies related to health care, elder care, and consumerism?
To what extent should societies that can clone animals spend the funds on research to determine how to clone human beings?
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Why does the housing market have a significant impact on a nation's economy?
To what degree are Americans overworked and overspent? How does this compare to other peoples worldwide?
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To what degree does big business control economic policy in the United States?
How has economic policy shifted as corporations have become more global?
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| Rise and Fall of Civilizations & Empires |
What is the relationship between the desire for affluence and the rise of civilizations and empires?
What impact did the fall of the U.S.S.R., the Roman Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Mogul Empire have on the affluence of their people?
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What roles have the affluent played in preserving the great works of art and literature from ancient and medieval societies?
How have wars contributed to the destruction of valuable historical artifacts?
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In what ways have pandemics contributed to the decline of civilizations and cultures?
What lessons can be applied to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the African continent?
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How have empires been able to grow and develop their affluence over time?
Why is affluence a necessary part of the quest for civilization and empire?
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How did the rise of industrialization change the distribution of wealth in the world?
To what extent has the globalization of corporations contributed to the development of an American economic empire worldwide? What impact does this have on local business and culture?
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| Political and Civil Liberties |
What did the establishment of the Electoral College have to do with affluence?
To what extent has affluence protected people from being interred?
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To what extent does affluence contribute to tolerance of controversial plays, literature, music, or visual arts?
Why do some affluent civilizations or rulers censor humanities scholars?
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How has the application of advanced communications technology to fighting the "War on Terror" contributed to protection of political and civil liberties?
In what ways has advanced technology eroded our rights?
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To what degree does an affluent society provide more political and civil liberties for its people?
To what extent is justice blind to the relative affluence of defendants?
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How have lobbyists changed the way politicians do their jobs?
To what extent should corporations have the same political and civil rights as human beings?
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| Geography |
To what extent has it been true that the affluent have historically lived longer lives?
How has the Jewish Diaspora, African Diaspora, and Irish Diaspora affected both the places these peoples settled and the places they left?
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What roles do religious schools play in the education of affluent families around the world? How does this have an impact on the ways religion is taught?
Compare and contrast the concentration of populations and affluence with the number of movie theatres.
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In what ways can technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) contribute to our understanding of global affluence and poverty?
What are the implications for using this GIS and other technologies to help increase affluence in impoverished nations?
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Is democracy more likely to flourish in certain parts of the world? Why, or why not?
Compare and contrast the affluence of towns that have a Wal-Mart with those that do not.
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How has technology blurred the lines between nations in terms of business relations?
Why has a rising world population contributed to an interest in global marketing?
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| Education |
To what extent has education been available to people of all cultures and socioeconomic groups?
How has funding for education changed over place and time?
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What advantages do affluent school districts have in teaching the humanities? (i.e. theatres, technology)
To what extent does affluence have an impact on a society's literacy?
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To what extent has improvement in global science and technology education contributed to an increase in affluence and the decline of poverty?
In what ways has science education in the U.S. failed to keep pace with other nations worldwide? What are the implications for American students?
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To what extent should school vouchers be only for the affluent?
How do universities defend the salaries they pay football and basketball coaches versus those they pay presidents and faculty members?
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To what degree has the rise of business schools changed high school and college curricula?
To what extent should schools and colleges be run like businesses?
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| Individual, Family, and Community Life |
How has the definition of family changed over time?
How have different cultures developed their concepts of community?
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To what extent does affluence affect a family's appreciation for the humanities?
To what extent does the affluence of a community determine its exposure to the humanities?
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How have scientific advances helped redefine the nuclear family, isolate individuals while at the same time increasing their autonomy, and served to create an increasingly global community?
To what extent are less invasive cosmetic surgery procedures, such as the use of Botox, changing the way we view an individual's youthful appearance?
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To what extent does money buy people happiness?
To what degree does a community's affluence stem from the affluence of the people who live in it?
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In what ways does a vibrant business community contribute to the affluence of that community?
Why have more corporations and businesses not adopted a flex model of scheduling work in an effort to allow families more time together?
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| Environment |
How have different empires used and misused their natural resources?
To what extent have there been concerns about the future of the environment before the 21st century?
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How have the fine arts depicted the environment?
To what extent should indigenous art, such as Alaska Native totems which traditionally were meant to naturally decay and return to the earth, be preserved in museums?
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To what extent is global warming the result of increased levels of affluence in the world?
How is pollution from nations such as China and India having an impact on the global environment? Is this greater than the carbon footprint created by Americans?
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Why are less affluent countries, counties, and neighborhoods often chosen for toxic and garbage dump sites?
How have two-income families contributed to the amount of disposable goods purchased and disposed of in any given year?
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To what degree should businesses be held accountable for pollution at home and abroad?
Why have energy-efficient products like the electric car and long-life light bulbs not been more successful in the marketplace?
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