Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anna's Dilemma

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read a scenerio about people who lived in Germany during Nazi rule. As a class, they discuss the situations the character finds herself in and identify her responsiblities to her family. They answer discussion questions and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Here? Why Not There?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students analyze a map and graph information on eleven countries. Using the characteristics of the countries, they determine if they should host the summer or winter Olympic games. After viewing a video, they locate the latitudes of...
Website
Other

University of Alabama: Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview in note form on social and political philosophy comparing Plato, Locke, and Hobbes. Scroll to "natural rights" which the author discusses in context for understanding the political and social philosophies of these political...
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
Other

Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand

For Students 9th - 10th
This is Dr. Leonard Peikoff's website for his book "Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand."
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Two Treatisies on Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides selections from John Locke's "Two Treatisies on Government." It contains evaluations on the sections 'Of the State of Nature' and 'Of Political of Civil Society.'
Handout
Other

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Affirmative Action

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides a thorough treatment of the politics of affirmative action from researcher Robert Fullinwider, of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.
Handout
Philosophy Pages

Philosophy Pages: John Locke (1632 1704)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers a brief biography of philosopher John Locke and highlights of his accomplishments. The summary traces the development of his political beliefs through contrast with other writers of his time. Site includes a bibliography...
Website
Philosophy Pages

Philosophy Pages: John Stuart Mill (1806 1873)

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a site that's dedicated to the life and works of John Stuart Mill (1806-1873 CE). The site provides numerous links to relevant information about his life and also his works on utilitarianism, individual liberty and women's rights...
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
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...
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.
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.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Justification for the State

For Students 9th - 10th
From Wikipedia, this article outlines the purpose of government and explains how disagreement over purpose can splinter into various movements such as socialism, fascism, and communism. Includes links to further explanations of different...