Scheme of Work

1. Topic: Theme 4: A global perspective
4.2 Poverty and inequality
Length of time required:
Approximately 1 week
Link to Curriculum: Exam syllabus section 4
4.2.1 Absolute and relative poverty
a) Distinction between absolute poverty and relative poverty
b) Measures of absolute poverty and relative poverty
c) Causes of changes in absolute poverty and relative poverty
4.2.2 Inequality
a) Distinction between wealth and income inequality
b) Measurements of income inequality:
 the Lorenz curve (diagrammatic analysis)
 the Gini coefficient
c) Causes of income and wealth inequality within countries and between
countries
d) Impact of economic change and development on inequality
e) Significance of capitalism for inequality
Home Learning Resources/Extension Resources
Economics Blog: www.dbseconomics.blogspot.com
Set up the main issues and then get real world examples.
Plenty of articles on the issues are available from newspapers or
the BBC website.
June 2014 Edexcel data response question on poverty
‘UK Income and Wealth Inequality’ is a good video on Tutor2u. It
shows how both income and wealth inequality has changed since
1950s.
There are likely to be many resources on Tutor2u since it is a
growing topic area.
‘Challenge’ Task – Optional
Get students to draw Lorenz curves from a data set.
Look at the debate between those who argue that inequality is
essential in a capitalist systemto provide incentives to create
conditions necessary for economic growth, versus those who argue
that inequality itself constrains economic growth. For example,
look at articles on how inequality impacts on barriers to social
Subject: Economics
Year: 13
Term: 2

2. mobility. Also explore evidence that inequality impacts negatively
on economic well-being.
Get students to look at the contrasting view between capitalism
creating levels of inequality which are unsustainable versus
Kuznet’s view.
Assessments – Standardised
Interim Assessment task: Students tested during and after each
sub topic using past examination packs.
Summative Assessment Task (Exam week): End of unit test