Handout
Other

Biographies: Machiavelli (1469 1527)

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of the works and philosophical/political ideas of Machiavelli. Includes some dates and describes the times in which he lived.
Primary
Philosophy Pages

Philosophy Pages: Karl Marx (1818 1883)

For Students 9th - 10th
The life and work of philosopher Karl Marx is surveyed with links to full-text translations of The Communist Manifesto and other tracts.
Article
Other

Routledge: Philosophy for a Level: Authority and Legitimacy [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the distinctions between power, authority, and legitimacy. It then looks at the relationship of legitimacy to a government, what obligations people have to obey a government, and what Plato's thinking was on this subject. The...
Website
Other

Commonweal (A Review of Religion, Politics, and Culture)

For Students 9th - 10th
Home on the web of "Commonweal," a sophisticated and influential journal of opinion edited by lay American Catholics.
PPT
Other

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne: The Italian Renaissance [Ppt]

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed slideshow that presents key concepts and ideas on Renaissance economics, society, politics, arts and architecture, philosophy, the Papacy, and the spread of humanism. The significant individuals in each category are also...
Handout
Council of Foreign Relations

Council on Foreign Relations: Venezuela's Chavez Era

For Students 9th - 10th
From the Council on Foreign Relations this interactive timeline follows the political career of Venezuelan Hugo Chavez, particularly after his election as president in 1998. Click on links for additional information.
Handout
University of California

Ucla African Studies Center: Marcus Garvey: An Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed biography of Marcus Garvey, advocate of the back-to-Africa movement as a push-back to the way African Americans were being treated after World War I, gives good insight into his life and philosophy. Find information on his...
Website
Other

Rousseau Association

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive resource with hyperlinks to music, writings, and biographical information on Rousseau.
Primary
Columbia University

Columbia University: John Locke: Of the Conduct of the Understanding

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete biography of the philosopher John Locke. It discusses his contribution to philosophy and his social contract.
Handout
Other

Bluepete: Biographies: Thomas Hobbes

For Students 9th - 10th
A great biography. Includes extensive quotes by Hobbes and by those who knew him. His works and philosophical ideas are detailed here.
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".
Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: George Washington and Executive Power

For Teachers 9th - 10th
George Washington had a role in establishing our nation from the Revolutionary War through his presidency. He was a commander, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and a reluctant first President. Analyze his political...
Handout
Other

Secular Humanism: Thomas Paine

For Students 9th - 10th
The Secular Humanism site looks at Thomas Paine and his political philosophy based in deist thought.
Website
Other

Ayn Rand Society

For Students 9th - 10th
Website dedicated to providing information about Ayn Rand and Objectivism. Links to information on objectivism, capitalism, and art are included.
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 Skeptic's Dictionary: Occam's Razor

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an intuitive look at "Occam's Razor," the philosophical statement of the "principle of unnecessary plurality." Content focuses on the life and role of William Ockham; the history of this particular philosophy; as well as...
Handout
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: Niccolo Machiavelli, 1469 1527

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has biographical information for Machiavelli (1469-1527 CE), the political philosopher during the Italian Renaissance.
Activity
Victorian Web

The Victorian Web: Matthew Arnold

For Students 9th - 10th
This Victorian Web site features links to documents about the life, works, and times of the poet and critic Matthew Arnold (1821-1888). Content ranges from the genre, themes, and imagery found in his literary works, to a biography,...
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking: Impact of Enlightenment

For Students 6th - 8th
The ideas of the Enlightenment began in Europe, but they were acted upon in the American colonies. See how the philosophies of John Locke and Rousseau influenced the thoughts and actions of Puritan clergy and political figures like...
Website
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 1797

For Students 9th - 10th
From a college lecture on "The Language of Politics: England and the French Revolution," this biographical sketch connects Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797 CE) to the major political and philosophical thinkers of her time.
Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Ethics Reader: Great Ethicists of the Western Tradition

For Students 9th - 10th
A 190-page reader of selected writings from the most-influential thinkers of the Western tradition on the wide-ranging subject of ethics. Essential background information for any serious student of the principles of law, good government,...
Handout
Steven Kreis, PhD

The History Guide: Sophocles

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the writings of Sophocles, in particular Antigone, and the theme of the conflict between personal and political matters.
Article
Other

The Sophists and Socrates

For Students 9th - 10th
Wonderful essay on Socrates refutation of the Sophists. Discusses Socrates' debate with Protagoras over the meaning of "arete" (justice) and its consequences for the democratic politics of Athens.
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.

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