Bensalem Township School District
Social Studies Elective: Philosophy
Standards Link:
8.1.12.A Evaluate Chronological thinking
8.1.12.B Synthesize and evaluate historical sources
8.1.12.C Evaluate historical interpretation of events
8.1.12.D Synthesize historical research
8.3.12.A Identify and evaluate the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to United states
history from 1890 to present
8.3.12.C Evaluate how continuity and change has influenced United States history from 1890 to present
8.4.12.A Evaluate the significance of individuals and groups who made major political and cultural contributions to
world history since 1450
8.4.12.B Evaluate historical documents, material artifacts, and historic sites important to world history since 1450
8.4.12.C Evaluate how continuity and change throughout history has impacted belief systems and religions,
commerce, and industry, innovation, settlement patterns, social organization, transportation and role of women since
1450
5.1.12.A Evaluate the major arguments advanced for the necessity of government
5.1.12.B Analyze the sources, purposes, and functions of law
5.1.12.C Evaluate the importance of the principles and ideals of civic life
5.1.12.E Evaluate the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them to documents of
government
5.1.12.I Analyze historical examples of the importance of the rule of law explaining the sources, purposes, and
functions of law
5.1.12.J Analyze how the law promotes the common good and protects individual rights
5.1.12.M Evaluate and analyze the importance of significant political speeches and writings in civic life
Big Idea:
Political Philosophy
Enduring Understanding(s):
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Political philosophy is the study of social
institutions.
Aristotle said, “Man is a social animal”.
It is necessary to define society and collaborate on
the applications of society.
Teaching political philosophy allows us to consider
how our laws evolved.
Discussing political philosophy forces us to
generate ideas explaining the existence of
government.
Essential Question(s):
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How is society with regards to political philosophy?
Why does government exist?
How are different political philosophies and philosophers compared?
How do your personal perspectives of the nature of justice relate to political philosophies?
What does the concept “the ends justifies the means” mean?
What is social contract?
How can we compare laws of nature and social contract?
Why do certain elements of society need protection of the government?
Knowledge For Students: To what standard
is this linked?
Skill(s) for Students: To what standard is this
linked?
Bensalem Township School District
Social Studies Elective: Philosophy
Political Philosophy will force students to
generate ideas explaining the existence of
government
Create a definition of society and collaborate on
the applications of society within political
philosophy
Familiarize individuals with selected
political philosophers
Compare the ideological relationships between the
different political philosophies
Political philosophy allows students to
develop personal perspectives about the
nature of justice
Develop a logical argument regarding a students’
perspectives about the nature of justice
Political philosophy defines the idea “the
end justifies the means”
Political philosophy follows the
development of the social contract through
the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke,
and Jen-Jacques Rousseau
Identify Plato’s parts of the soul and the concept of
harmony
Identify Niccolo Machiavelli’s contributions to
political philosophy
Analyze the relationship of government to its
citizenry called the social contract
John Locke’s ideas regarding the laws of
nature and the social contract
Compare the political philosophies of John Locke
and Thomas Hobbes
Jean-Jacques Rousseau had many ideas
regarding the laws of nature and the social
contract
Compare the social contract theories of Thomas
Hobbes, John Locke, and jean-Jacques Rousseau
John Stuart Mill’s concepts of liberty
Assess why certain elements of a society need
government protection
Karl Marx set out to reconstruct totally the
structure of society
Create a dialogue that applies Mill’s principles of
open-mindedness
Explore the political philosophy of Karl Marx
Connect Marx’s ideas to those of previous political
philosophers
Apply political theories by creating a society based
upon personal freedom and security of possessions
Bensalem Township School District
Social Studies Elective: Philosophy
Assessment/Evidence of Learning:
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Reflection
Flat Stanley Biography on Political Philosopher
Locke v. Hobbes Comparison Essay
Prepare a Social Contract based on political philosopher of choice
Creating a Just Society
Bensalem Township School District
Social Studies Elective: Philosophy
Learning Activities:
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Machiavelli, “The Prince” Review
Marx Dialectic
Political Charades
“What a Wonderful World It Would Be…”
Point and Counterpoint
Essay Questions for Leviathan, Two
Treatises of Government, Social Contract,
On Liberty, The Communist Manifesto
Political Theory Comparison/ Evaluation
Resources:
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Philosophy for Teens: Questioning the Big
Questions- text
Periodical readings
Video clips
Philosophy from the Center of Learning
Ultimate Questions: Thinking about Philosophy
Readings on the Ultimate Questions: An
Introduction to Philosophy
Excerpts from The Philosopher’s Way
Primary and Secondary Source Readings
(Leviathan, Two Treatises of Government, Social
Contract, On Liberty, The Communist Manifesto)