Guess what??? My older daughter and I now both seem to have what my younger daughter has just about recovered from. I will not be able to be with you again today. I will be a sick parent home with a sick kid. We'll move the lesson that would have followed the lesson on science up to today.
NOTE: We will plan on finishing the trial on FRIDAY.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You'll turn your attention to the wider idea of the Enlightenment today. In addition to looking at the major contributions of Enlightenment thinkers and artists, you'll also focus on related issues in our world today.
NOTE: We will plan on finishing the trial on FRIDAY.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You'll turn your attention to the wider idea of the Enlightenment today. In addition to looking at the major contributions of Enlightenment thinkers and artists, you'll also focus on related issues in our world today.
The MPA Enlightenment Salon: We
will attempt to better understand some of the ideas and impacts of the
Enlightenment through a quasi-lame recreation of a salon. As you read for
today, the salon
was a social gathering, typically hosted by a woman of some wealth and
means in Paris. Here, philosophes and others could discuss and share
ideas.
Format:
You'll circulate at various times during our salon. We'll meet in small groups of no more than six. When you circulate, you need to be looking for different
partners. At no time should more than two people be in a group two
consecutive times. You'll be given a topic to discuss or another task.
After a set amount of time, we'll focus together as the "big group" to hear what you
think and move forward.
Topic #1 - The Social Contract
Let's
make sure that everyone understands the differences between the views
of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Once we have that straight, we'll have
you form small groups to consider these questions:
- Whose view of the social contract do you find more appropriate for the time in which these men lived? Why?
- Whose view of the social contract do you believe is more appropriate for our modern world? For the United States? For Mounds Park Academy? Why?
- What elements of each man's interpretation are reflected in modern American society?
Topic #2 - Voltaire and Free Speech
As
you read, Voltaire was a brilliant satirist and a very influential
philosophe. (You'll get to know him better in English 10...) For our
purposes, we're going to look at his campaign for tolerance,
particularly in the area of freedom of speech.
His
most famous quote is perhaps this one: "I do not agree with a word you
say but will defend to the death your right to say it." Consider these
questions:
- In modern America, do we have too much freedom of speech? Too little? Provide examples to support your points.
- What limits on the freedom of speech, if any, do you believe are appropriate?
- As technology advances so rapidly, how can we balance freedom of speech with other concerns?
Topic #3 - Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers
We'll
touch base to make sure you are all familiar with the idea of the
separation of powers advocated by Montesquieu. Consider these questions:
- Do you think we truly have a separation of powers in our government today? Do the "checks and balances" work? Why or why not?
- Does the President of the United States have too much power? Why or why not?
Topic #4 - Jean Jacques Rousseau and Freedom
Rousseau
is known for his belief that, "Man is born free, and everywhere he is
in chains." He advocated a form of direct democracy, believing that a
good government would be freely formed and guided by the "general will"
of the people. Consider these questions:
- Do you share in Rousseau's belief in the basic goodness of people? Why or why not?
- Do you agree with Rousseau that "civilization" (then or now) prevents people from realizing their natural goodness? Why or why not?
- Is a society based on Rousseau's ideas feasible in modern times? Explain.
Topic #5 - Beccaria and the Criminal Justice System
Italian
philosophe Cesare Beccaria sought to reform the system used to try and
punish criminals. He advocated for the abolishment of torture, cruel
punishments and the right to a speedy trial. Consider these questions:
- In America today, do criminals have too few protections or too many? Explain.
- Is vengeance an acceptable value for a justice system? Why or why not?
- Are there circumstances where the state is justified in using torture? Why or why not?
- Is capital punishment consistent with the ideas of a modern justice system?
Topic #6 - Mary Wollstonecraft and Women's Rights
Although
many during the time continued to believe men and women had distinct
roles, writes like Mary Wollstonecraft helped advance the causes of
women in a variety of areas. Consider these questions:
- In America, does our education system treat men and women equally? Why or why not?
- Are there still meaningful barriers to equality for women in politics? Explain.
- Fifty years from now, will Americans still be talking about a "gender gap?" Why or why not?
Closing the MPA Enlightenment Salon: As we close, I have a couple of questions for you to ponder.
- Considering everything you have read and heard about thinking, arts, music, literature, etc., who do you believe is the individual who best epitomizes the spirit of the Enlightenment? Why?
- If you were able to have lived the life of any figure from the Enlightenment, which would you choose? Why?
HOMEWORK for next session - Friday, September 9th
Please continue your reading in Chapter 22 with Section 3, "The Enlightenment Spreads." We'll be back to matching for the
reading quiz.
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