Social Studies Ancient Religion
Name _____________________________
In the library and on the computer research information about these doctrines:
Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism. You should also look for information on Legalism.
You will need to identify the beliefs and/or way they believe followers should behave.
For the activity you will imagine yourself to be, in turn, a follower of Buddhism, Taoism,
Confucianism, and Legalism. You will write down how you feel an individual would
answer these questions if they were, in turn, a Buddhist, a Taoist, a follower of
Confucianism, or a loyal citizen governed by Legalism. (This project is not due until after
the break; we will turn this into a game.)
You will need to be able to answer reasonably the following questions for each group:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The Three Doctrines & Legalism
A student knows that they are failing a class. Students from each of these
doctrines know they will be in trouble when their parents find out. How do they
handle this situation?
A student's friends smoke and are trying to get them to start. How do they handle
this situation?
A student has just found $20 in the hall. What should they do?
A student's parents have just spent a lot of money on a new outfit. The student has
been playing around and has gotten ink all over it. What should they tell their
parents, or should they?
A student really likes a new student in school, but all the other students are
making fun of the new student's clothes. How should the first student act?
A student knows that an older brother or sister is cheating on tests. How should
the student act?
A student sees an opportunity to take something they have really wanted, without
being caught. How should that student act?
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Take these questions home. Ask a member of your
family how and why they would respond to your choice of two of these questions. Write
down your responses in complete sentences. Thank your family for their help. Privately,
try to determine if their response and their reason for that response would best fit the
expected behavior of a Buddhist, a Taoist, a Confucianist, or a Legalist.