Lesson Name: Politics Through the Ages

 

Category: Canadian and World Politics

Course Code: CPW 4U1

Created By: Mark Melnyk

School: Markville Secondary School

Level: Grade 12

Time: 76 Minutes

 

 

 

 


Rationale:

The main objective of the lesson is to introduce students to the rigour of the Course Pack. Students will be introduced to Political Theory and the differences between various human aspirations to forward their own lives.

 

 

Expectations:

Þ    describe the factors that help to determine the power and influence of a country (e.g., geography and demography, economic resources and markets, military strength and diplomatic traditions);

Þ    explain the role and function of ideologies in national and international politics;

Þ    explain how nationalist and internationalist ideologies shape ideas, as well as conflict or cooperation within and among nations;

Þ    demonstrate an understanding of the many similarities and differences in the aspirations, expectations, and life conditions among the peoples of the developed and the developing nations.

Þ    describe the main economic, political, and social characteristics of developed and developing countries;

Þ    compare key elements of selected theories concerning the nature of effective development (e.g., global industrialization, sustainable national development);

Þ    analyse the main differences between the social beliefs and ideologies in developed and developing countries (e.g., individual and community property ownership, private and public capitalism, inter-party democracy and intra-party democracy);

Þ    demonstrate an understanding of the commonality of human aspirations for a better, more secure life.

 

 

Instructions:

  1. The Course Outline is in the Course Pack. Once Course Packs have been paid for and distributed take students through the specifics of the Course Syllabus. Students should be made aware of the Major Elements that will establish their Evaluation, and given due dates for the entire term so that they can plan their major assignments. Students will be given a brief overview of all the major culminating activities.
  2. Spend extra time (10 Minutes) describing the initial “new” course elements of the Tutorials and Academic Readings. Establish who will be conducting the first tutorials and set up a time to meet with these students prior to their first session.
  3. Introduce the Philosopher’s Salon, or Country Simulation. Students will be informed on this day that the students that they are sitting with at their tables will become the citizens of a country that they will create. Students will be instructed that they are trying to understand political philosophy and create their own Utopia. Students must know that the end goal of the simulation is to succeed with limited resources on a test that will come in three weeks.
  4. Lecture 1: International Relations Theory, Anarchy vs Authority, the Security Dilemma, Co-operation vs Conflict, State Actors, and a brief overview of Politics Through the Ages.
  5. Lesson Closure: Allow students to speculate about the Country Simulation and the best way to achieve a Utopian society within the confines of a classroom.

 

 

 

Materials:

Þ    LCD Projector and Computer

Þ    Lecture 1: Powerpoint

Þ    Course Pack

Þ    Envelope to Collect Money for Course Packs

 

 

Assessment & Evaluation:

Visual Observation