THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF EPIDEMICS

The world has lived through numerous devastating epidemics from the Black Plaque to Spanish influenza; from AIDS to the current Ebola crisis. Each has wreaked havoc on populations but they have had equally serious economic and social effects. Write an essay in which you discuss these effects.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Your purpose:

To discuss the economic and social effects in general; not to discuss the Black Plaque, AIDS and Ebola separately

Structure

Deal with the effects in general – you will find many common points – but also give specific examples based on your research

Plan

It is suggested that you discuss the economic effects in one paragraph and the social effects in the next. Alternatively, you can match up economic and social effects but you will need to think carefully about the planning.

 

Reading material to annotate: Relatively simple

·         “The social and economic effects of the plague” http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/plague/effects/social.php

·         “The economic impact of HIV/AIDS” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_impact_of_HIV/AIDS

·         “The worst case scenario for Ebola” http://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6832023/ebola-virus-global-health-panic This text comes with a video

·         “Panicking often makes it worse” http://www.economist.com/news/international/21612158-epidemics-damage-economies-well-health-panicking-only-makes-it-worse

Reading material to annotate: more challenging alternatives

·         “Economic impact of the Black Death” http://eh.net/encyclopedia/the-economic-impact-of-the-black-death/

·         “A look at the social effects of the Black death” http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history-homework-help/88775-social-effects-of-the-black-death/

·         “The economic impacts of HIV/AIDS” http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ad696e/ad696e05.htm

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·         “The Black Death” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W1YZKbYDWw

·         “The impacts of HIV /AIDS on economic development in Southern Africa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4cOSkQz4Is

Documentaries to watch and make notes on:

·         “The Black Death”   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAhOVFp54E