Introduction
The city-state of Athens was the first to experiment with the notion of democracy. From the Greek demos and kratos, we get the word "democracy." While the Greek system was not perfect, it was the building blocks for our own democracy.
Procedure
Our class will look at the early theories of from the point of view of famous philosophers. We will read some of their writings (primary sources) and debate which of their theories make sense today. An understanding of the components of Greek democracy is essential so we will be looking at how laws were made and who made them.
Resources
Specific Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Evaluation
There will be several quizzes during and following the completion of this lesson
State Standards included:
CIVICS STANDARD ONE: 6-8a: Students will understand that governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations, levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war.
CIVICS STANDARD TWO 6-8a: Students will understand that civil rights secure political freedom while property rights secure economic freedom and that both are essential protections for United States citizens
HISTORY STANDARD FOUR 6-8: Students will develop an understanding of ancient and medieval world history, and the continuing influence of major civilizations, including:
-- The beginnings of human society
-- Early civilizations and pastoral peoples (4,000-1,000 BC)
-- Classical traditions, major religions, and great empires (1,000 BC--300 AD)
-- Expanding zones of exchange and encounter (300-1,000 AD)
--Intensified hemispheric interactions (1,000-1,500 AD)
The city-state of Athens was the first to experiment with the notion of democracy. From the Greek demos and kratos, we get the word "democracy." While the Greek system was not perfect, it was the building blocks for our own democracy.
Procedure
Our class will look at the early theories of from the point of view of famous philosophers. We will read some of their writings (primary sources) and debate which of their theories make sense today. An understanding of the components of Greek democracy is essential so we will be looking at how laws were made and who made them.
Resources
- "Socrates" biography
- Examples of Socrates' beliefs:
- "Testing for Gossip"
- "Burning Desire is the Key to Success"
- "Plato" biography
- "Aristotle" biography
- Pericles Funeral oration (primary source)
- "The Fundamentals of Athenian Democracy" (reading)
- "Plato's view of Democracy" (reading)
- Video:"Socrates - reading lesson for kids" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnr0EcnHtSs
- Video:"The Cave"
- Video: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave - Alex Gendler" http://ed.ted.com/lessons/plato-s-allegory-of-the-cave-alex-gendler
- Powerpoint: It's all Greek to me!
Specific Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
- explain the components of Greek democracy and their function
- analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Greek democracy
- identify the theories of government held by philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and
- appreciate the need for civic involvement as a prerequisite to a successful democracy
Evaluation
There will be several quizzes during and following the completion of this lesson
State Standards included:
CIVICS STANDARD ONE: 6-8a: Students will understand that governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations, levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war.
CIVICS STANDARD TWO 6-8a: Students will understand that civil rights secure political freedom while property rights secure economic freedom and that both are essential protections for United States citizens
HISTORY STANDARD FOUR 6-8: Students will develop an understanding of ancient and medieval world history, and the continuing influence of major civilizations, including:
-- The beginnings of human society
-- Early civilizations and pastoral peoples (4,000-1,000 BC)
-- Classical traditions, major religions, and great empires (1,000 BC--300 AD)
-- Expanding zones of exchange and encounter (300-1,000 AD)
--Intensified hemispheric interactions (1,000-1,500 AD)