Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: John Dewey and the Reconstruction of American Democracy

For Students 9th - 10th
Article and activity on the ideas and philosophy of John Dewey in which students critique Dewey's methods and evaluate the relevancy of his ideas for American democracy today.
Article
Stanford University

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Political Legitimacy

For Students 9th - 10th
Examines the concept of political legitimacy. How is it defined? What are its functions? What are the sources of political legitimacy? What does it look like in a democracy? What does it look like on a global level? These are some of the...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: Citizenship: Making Government Work

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This unit on citizenship introduces the question "What is government?" from a philosophical perspective, and delves into the meaning of government, how it works, etc. through a Video on Demand, assignments, and critical thinking and more.
Handout
Other

The Sophists and Greek Democracy

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the uniqueness of ancient Greek democracy as a cultural achievement and relates it to the rise of critical philosophy by the Sophists.
Handout
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: Ancient Greece

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a collection of 13 Grade-Leveled texts (7-11) on the topic Ancient Greece. How much can we credit today's art, philosophy, and democracy, among other fields of study, to Ancient Greece? Explore Ancient Greece and discover how the...
eBook
Other

The Great Books Foundation: The Natural Aristocracy

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A letter to John Adams from Thomas Jefferson dated October 28, 1813 that provides a mini-summary of Jefferson's philosophy toward democracy and the ability of Americans to govern themselves.
Website
Other

Harvard University: Justice With Michael Sandel

For Students 9th - 10th
Justice with Michael Sandel is a twelve-part university-level course about justice, equality, democracy, and citizenship that Harvard University has opened to the public. Using a video-lecture format, Justice gives viewers turns to...
Activity
Chase Young, PhD

Dr. Chase Young, Ph D: Reader's Theater Script: The Trial of Socrates [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A reader's theater script for The Trial of Socrates, a biographical account about the end of Socrates' life. Eleven character roles are needed in this activity.
Article
Other

Ancient History: 10 Ancient Greek Inventions and Discoveries Still Used Today

For Students 9th - 10th
Ten of the important inventions and innovations of the ancient Greeks are described. These include the water mill, the odometer, alarm clocks, cartography, the Olympics, geometry, Hippocratic medicine, philosophy, democracy, and...
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: John Stuart Mill and Individual Liberty

For Students 9th - 10th
Lesson for high school students on the philosophy of John Stuart Mill. Through reading, writing, and small group activity, students explore Mill's ideas on democracy, women's rights, and what constitutes a just government, then apply...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Student Activism

For Students 5th - 8th
A good look at the student activism of the Students for a Democratic Society and the philosophy behind this organization.
Article
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: "The Spirit of Laws" (Excerpts) (1748)

For Students 9th - 10th
Fordham University provides excerpts from the 1748 book of political philosophy by Montesquieu; "The Spirit of Laws".
Website
Penn Museum

Penn Museum: Ancient Greek World

For Students 9th - 10th
Massive site for information on the ancient Greek world. Follow the navigation at the top of the page for detailed sections on time periods, daily life, religion and death, economy, and more. Each section includes pictures of artifacts...
Handout
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: Montesquieu Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a timeline of the significant events in the life of Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, author of "The Spirits of the Laws." There are also links to a bibliography.
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: Political Theory

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
As governments form and change over time, they look to political philosophers to answer important questions about governance. This text set covers some of the world's most influential political thinkers. This collection includes 10...
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: History: Ancient Greece for Kids

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the civilization of Ancient Greece on this site. The birth of democracy, philosophy, and science as well as Athens and Sparta.