Rethinking Happiness: Beyond Economic Indicators
Created byKatie Hintz
0 views0 downloads

Rethinking Happiness: Beyond Economic Indicators

Grade 11GeographySociologyPolitical ScienceEconomics7 days
This project, geared towards eleventh graders, challenges students to develop a comprehensive model for measuring a country's happiness, going beyond traditional economic indicators. By integrating social, economic, and environmental factors, students explore diverse cultural perceptions of happiness through activities such as debates, design-a-thons, and global gallery walks. They research various happiness indices, assess government policy impacts, and ultimately design their own multidimensional models. The project emphasizes cultural sensitivity, hands-on involvement, and critical evaluation of traditional economic measures, aiming to equip students with a nuanced understanding of national well-being metrics.
Happiness MeasurementEconomic IndicatorsCultural SensitivityMultidimensional ModelPolicy ImpactSocial FactorsEnvironmental Factors
Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.
📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a comprehensive and culturally sensitive model to measure a country's happiness, integrating social, economic, and environmental factors to address the limitations of traditional economic indicators?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How is happiness defined and measured across different cultures and societies?
  • Why might traditional economic indicators be insufficient in measuring a country's overall happiness?
  • What alternative factors contribute to the happiness of a nation beyond economic measures?
  • How can a multidimensional approach provide a more accurate reflection of a country's happiness?
  • What role do government policies play in influencing a nation's happiness?
  • How do geographic and cultural differences impact the perception and achievement of happiness in a country?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Design a model that integrates social, economic, and environmental factors to measure a country's happiness.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of traditional economic indicators in measuring national happiness.
  • Analyze cultural, sociological, and geographic factors influencing notions of happiness in different societies.
  • Assess the impact of government policies on national happiness using sociological and economic perspectives.
  • Develop and present arguments for why a multidimensional approach is superior to solely economic assessments in gauging happiness.

C3 Framework for Social Studies

D2.Geo.4.9-12
Primary
Analyze relationships and interactions within places and regions to explain the reciprocal influences of geographic factors, such as landforms, climate, and natural resources, on political, cultural, and economic processes.Reason: Understanding how geographic factors influence cultural and political processes is essential for creating a culturally sensitive model of happiness.
D2.Eco.1.9-12
Primary
Analyze how incentives influence choices that may result in policies with both intended and unintended consequences.Reason: Investigating how policies affect national happiness aligns with exploring the role of government in influencing happiness.
D2.Soc.9.9-12
Secondary
Explain how major sociological perspectives provide different interpretations of the causes and consequences of social inequality.Reason: Understanding social inequality helps identify factors beyond economy that contribute to happiness.

Common Core English Language Arts

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.4
Supporting
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.Reason: Students will need to express their models and findings effectively in written form.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Happiness Debate: Beyond Economics

Launch the project with a dynamic debate that pits traditional economic indicators against newer, alternative happiness measurements. Debate teams argue various sides, drawing on real-world data and personal experiences, which compels peers to explore underlying societal values that influence what happiness means to different cultures and individuals.

'Design-A-Thon': Building a Happiness Indicator

Students dive into an intensive 'Design-A-Thon' session, collaboratively developing prototypes of happiness indicators utilizing elements like art, social media, and community surveys. By focusing on creativity and interdisciplinary approaches, this event challenges conventional economic thinking and connects deeply with student interests and digital skills.

Global Happiness Gallery Walk

Transform the classroom into a gallery of countries, showcasing diverse cultural interpretations and measurements of happiness. This immersive experience allows students to physically explore and question various dimensions of well-being, from traditional heritages to innovative measures, encouraging inquiry into how happiness is perceived and quantified worldwide.

Happiness Hackathon!

Kick off the project with a 'Happiness Hackathon,' where students participate in a fun and competitive event to brainstorm and prototype new ways to gauge happiness in different countries. Teams will present quick pitches on innovative measures beyond GDP, incorporating factors like community health, environmental conditions, or cultural richness.
📚

Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Happiness Index Explorer

Students will explore various happiness indices to understand their components and how they differ from traditional economic measurements. This activity helps students familiarize themselves with existing models and sets the foundation for developing their own innovative indicators.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research different happiness indices, such as the Human Development Index, the Happy Planet Index, and the World Happiness Report.
2. Analyze the factors that each index considers when measuring happiness, focusing on social, economic, environmental, and cultural criteria.
3. Create a comparison chart that highlights the similarities and differences among these indices.
4. Share your findings with the class in a brief presentation.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed comparison chart and presentation summarizing the research findings on different happiness indices.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Geo.4.9-12 by analyzing the factors influencing happiness and understanding their geographic implications.
Activity 2

Cultural Happiness Diary

In this reflective activity, students will maintain a diary to document how different cultures perceive and define happiness. This exercise will assist in recognizing culturally sensitive approaches to measuring happiness.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose three countries with distinct cultural backgrounds.
2. Research how happiness is perceived and defined in these cultures, noting any unique practices or traditions related to well-being.
3. Record your findings in a daily diary, reflecting on how these perceptions impact societal happiness.
4. Connect your insights to how these cultural factors might influence a happiness measurement model.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA cultural diary with reflections on happiness perceptions across three countries, with insights on cultural influences on happiness measurement models.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports D2.Soc.9.9-12 by exploring sociological perspectives on cultural differences in happiness.
Activity 3

Policy Impact Analysis

Students will investigate how various government policies impact national happiness, considering both intended and unintended consequences. This activity encourages critical thinking about the role of government in societal well-being.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a national or regional policy aimed at improving well-being or happiness.
2. Research the intended outcomes and any unintended consequences of the policy.
3. Identify the socio-economic and cultural influences that shape the policy's effectiveness.
4. Write an analysis of how this policy influences happiness, using economic and sociological perspectives.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical report discussing the influence of a specific policy on national happiness, framed within sociological and economic perspectives.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills D2.Eco.1.9-12 by analyzing policy impacts and exploring incentives that affect happiness.
Activity 4

Multidimensional Model Builder

Students will design their own multidimensional model to measure a country's happiness, incorporating social, economic, and environmental factors. This capstone activity enables students to apply their learning and creativity to develop a comprehensive solution to the driving question.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review previous activities and consolidate your understanding of factors influencing happiness.
2. Brainstorm with peers to identify key components of a multidimensional happiness model.
3. Design a prototype of your model using visual aids such as charts or graphs.
4. Present your model to the class, explaining how it integrates social, economic, and environmental factors.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA prototype of a multidimensional happiness model, presented through visual aids and a class presentation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal to create a model integrating multiple factors and align with standards such as D2.Geo.4.9-12 and D2.Soc.9.9-12.
🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Comprehensive Happiness Measurement Framework Rubric

Category 1

Research and Analysis

Evaluation of the depth and breadth of research conducted on happiness indices and cultural perceptions.
Criterion 1

Diversity of Indices

Explores a variety of happiness indices comprehensively, identifying key components and differences.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thorough research of multiple indices, with insightful connections to broader impacts and detailed differentiation.

Proficient
3 Points

Solid research of several indices, with clear identification of similarities and differences.

Developing
2 Points

Basic research of a few indices, with some identification of key components.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited research, with minimal identification of indices and components.

Criterion 2

Cultural Insight

Analysis of cultural perspectives on happiness, leveraging research on different countries.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exceptional analysis of cultural influences on happiness, with robust examples and thoughtful reflections.

Proficient
3 Points

Clear analysis with good examples of cultural influences on happiness.

Developing
2 Points

Basic analysis of cultural influences with limited examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal cultural analysis, lacking examples and depth.

Category 2

Model Development

Assessment of the creation and presentation of the model, based on integration of various factors and clarity of the presentation.
Criterion 1

Integration of Factors

The ability to seamlessly integrate social, economic, and environmental factors into a cohesive model.

Exemplary
4 Points

Innovative integration of multiple factors with exceptional coherence and originality.

Proficient
3 Points

Sound integration of relevant factors with clear coherence.

Developing
2 Points

Partial integration of factors with some coherence issues.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited integration of factors lacking coherence.

Criterion 2

Clarity and Presentation

The clarity of the model presentation and the ability to effectively communicate ideas.

Exemplary
4 Points

Outstanding presentation with clear, engaging communication of complex ideas.

Proficient
3 Points

Clear presentation with effective communication of main ideas.

Developing
2 Points

Basic clarity with occasional communication difficulties.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation lacks clarity and effective communication.

Category 3

Critical Evaluation

Ability to critically evaluate the effectiveness of traditional and alternative measurement models.
Criterion 1

Evaluation of Economic Indicators

Analyzing strengths and weaknesses of traditional economic indicators in measuring happiness.

Exemplary
4 Points

Insightful evaluation, with sophisticated critique and balanced perspective on economic indicators.

Proficient
3 Points

Clear assessment with a balanced view of economic indicators.

Developing
2 Points

Basic evaluation with some acknowledgment of strengths and weaknesses.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal evaluation with limited understanding of economic indicators.

Category 4

Reflective Practice

Encourages reflective practice through personal insights and connecting learning to real-world contexts.
Criterion 1

Connection to Real World

Connecting learning to practical applications and real-world examples.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exceptional connection of concepts to real-world scenarios, with insightful applications.

Proficient
3 Points

Clear connection of concepts to real-world examples.

Developing
2 Points

Limited connection to real-world situations.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal connection to the real world with little practical application.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your overall understanding of how geographic, economic, and cultural factors influence a country's happiness. How has your perspective changed throughout this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident are you in your ability to design a happiness model that addresses cultural sensitivities?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which component of your happiness model do you feel most needs improvement, and why?

Text
Required
Question 4

Select the factor you believe is most crucial in defining a country's happiness from your model, and explain your choice.

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Social factors
Economic factors
Environmental factors
Cultural factors
Government policies
Question 5

Reflect on the effectiveness of traditional economic indicators in measuring national happiness based on your project findings. What limitations did you uncover?

Text
Required