UNIT ONE
(TEXT: Read Chapter 1)
THIS UNIT will focus on the need, purpose and goals of government and how they might be best achieved. This unit will analyze the theories and positions of historic political philosophers and the different types of government which have existed (and which exist today)to achieve these goals. In particular, the unit will focus on the characteristics of Democracy and its historical evolution.
TESTING: PRE TEST (MC) DUE……………………………….....WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 (Students will receive the Pre Test in class on Monday to take home) POST TEST…………………………………………..…THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 SUBJECTIVE ESSAY…………………………..……...FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
READING / RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS:
1. “What is the nature of man?” (according to the great philosophers) RESEARCH PRESENTATION (NO written assignment)…MONDAY, AUGUST 19 Students should choose a historic philosopher and research their opinion about human nature and the purpose of government. Students should bring this info with them to class on Monday and use this info as evidence in a debate on human nature and the purpose of govt IN CLASS DEBATE……………………………………………MONDAY AUG. 19
2. Hammurabi’s Code (1700 BC), The Magna Carta (1215), The English Bill of Rights (1689) Two Treatises on Government (1690) by John Locke, The Wealth of Nations (1776) by Adam Smith READING ESSAY………………………………………….…FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 TOPIC: Analyze (and describe) how these documents illustrate the evolution of political thought prior to the beginnings of United States government
3. Read Anthem by Ayn Rand READING QUIZ…………………………………………….…MONDAY, AUGUST 26
TOPIC OUTLINE: I. HUMAN NATURE A. GOOD VS. EVIL B. INHERITANCE VS. ENVIRONMENT C. THE PHILOSOPHERS D. THE ORIGINS OF GOVERNMENT
II. THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT A. CLASSICAL REPUBLICANS B. NATURAL RIGHTS PHILOSOPHERS
III. DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOVERNMENT A. SOURCES OF POWER (AUTHORITY) B. DISTRIBUTION OF POWER C. LIMITS ON POWER
IV. DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SYSTEMS A. COMMAND ECONOMY B. MARKET ECONOMY
V. A BRIEF HISTORY OF GOVERNMENT A. AUTOCRACY TO DEMOCRACY
VI. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMOCRACY A. REPUBLICANISM B. POLITICAL CHANGE
VOCABULARY: Anarchy, Aristocracy, Autocracy, Capitalism, Communism, Confederation, Democracy, Federalism, Meritocracy, Monarchy, Oligarchy, Pluralism, Plutocracy, Republic, Social Contract, Socialism, Sovereignty, Theocracy, Totalitarian
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION SUGGESTIONS: Additional research on Political Philosophers and Historic Governments Additional research on other world governments Critical Analysis of Historic Philosophers and Governments Critical Analysis of Current Events (Relevant to class discussion) i.e. actions and their reasonings by U.S. and other world governments
OUTSIDE RECOMMENDED (APPROVED) READINGS: Lord of the Flies by William Golding Brave New World by Aldous Huxley Animal Farm by George Orwell 1984. by George Orwell
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