Algonquin College 1385 Woodroffe Ave Ottawa, Ontario K2G-1V8 (613)727-4723 ext.5138 Democratic & Authoritarian Regimes Provided by Ottawa Carleton District School Board Last updated: July 13, 2007 All pictures, maps and graphics associated with lesson plans are the property of Algonquin College, unless otherwise noted or linked. Statistical data and background information has been collected from the CIA World Factbook, public domain reference materials, and (where identified) external resources. Curriculum and Lesson Plans have been created by partner School Boards [as identified]. These lesson plans and associated resources (photo, video, audio, etc.) are free for use to all teachers within the partner Boards in the delivery of the Ontario K-12 Curriculum. While every effort has been made to maintain the accuracy of the information provided, Algonquin College is not responsible for unintentional data entry errors or omissions. If you would like to report any errors or corrections for lesson plans, or use copyrighted materials for purposes other than the Ontario Curriculum please contact: Expedition Africa at (613)727-4723 ext. 5138 or email expeditionafrica@algonquincollege.com Small World Big Picture, Expedition Africa 2006 Table of Contents Summary of Lesson Plan Summary of Lesson Plan ................... 2 LESSON OBJECTIVES ....................... 3 MOTIVATION ....................................... 3 MATERIALS ......................................... 4 INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN ..................... 4 Activity #1 Brainstorm ................. 4 Activity #2 Characteristics ........... 5 Activity #3 Film Study ................. 5 Activity #4 Argumentative Paragraph ................................... 5 Activity #5 Cartoon Assignment .. 5 Activity #6 Connection with South Africa .......................................... 5 Activity #7 Collage ...................... 5 Feedback Page.................................... 6 Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes This lesson will help students distinguish between democratic and authoritarian government regimes. They will use a variety of activities to identify direct and indirect democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, oligarchy: military, religious, police state regimes. Activities will include film viewing, writing assignments, comic strips, and more. This lesson is supported by several files. This lesson plan may identify specific resources to support certain activities. While the expedition team will attempt to gather all the required resources, we cannot guarantee that all photo, audio, video will be captured as listed. Page 2 of 6 Small World Big Picture, Expedition Africa 2006 Subject Area: Intermediate Social Studies, Grade 10 Civics, Grade 11 Law, Grade 12 Politics, International Law, World Issues Unit: Democratic and Authoritarian regimes Length of Unit: Dependent on how many activities chosen to implement. Activity Number: 7 activities LESSON OBJECTIVES (Students will learn) ~ Distinguish between democratic and authoritarian government regimes. ~ Identify direct and indirect democracy, dictatorship, monarchy, oligarchy: military, religious, police state regimes. ~ Understand Apartheid regime in South Africa through a study of Stephen Biko’s story (Cry Freedom film). ~ Prepare an argumentative paragraph in which students defend a thesis using a minimum of 5 main distinct arguments supported by examples from film. ~ Use comic strips as a medium to illustrate the distinctions between democratic and authoritarian regimes. ~ View a live to video feed with interview(s) with students/adults from South Africa. ~ Use a collage assignment to illustrate key aspects of South Africa during and post-Apartheid. MOTIVATION (Hook) Listen to York Board pod cast by Lionel Davis about his experiences living in South Africa as an activist during Apartheid. 45 minutes long. LESSON TIME Dependent on which activities teacher decides to implement. Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes Page 3 of 6 Small World Big Picture, Expedition Africa 2006 MATERIALS (Requirements) Activity # Activity Resources needed Preferred location Activity 1 Brainstorm ~ Chalkboard/Whiteboard ~ Resources on Government regimes ~ Regular classroom Use learning objects to review information/concepts ~Access to computers ~ Computer Lab ~ Textbook, class notes or Internet ~Regular classroom or Computer lab Activity 3 Outline key characteristics of Democratic and Authoritarian regimes Film Study – Cry Freedom ~ Copy of DVD Cry Freedom, available for purchase online ~ TV/DVD player ~ Copies of Film study questionnaire ~ Classroom Activity 4 Argumentative Paragraph ~Regular classroom Activity 5 Activity 6 Cartoon assignment Connections with Africa – video interviews ~ Chalkboard/Whiteboard ~ Copies of assignment ~ Copies of assignment ~ Multi-media projector & computer Activity 7 Collage ~ Paper, magazines, newspapers, Internet images ~ Classroom or library Activity 2 ~ Regular classroom ~ Classroom or computer lab INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN Activity #1 Brainstorm (1-2 periods, homework) Types of government regimes what types of governments do students know of? Categorize afterwards under Democratic and Authoritarian regimes. Democratic (direct and indirect) and Authoritarian (dictatorship, monarchy, oligarchy: military, religious, police state) regimes. This info is available in Grade 10 Civics textbooks, Grade 12 Politics and on the Internet. Review concepts: Democratic (direct and indirect) and Authoritarian (dictatorship, monarchy, oligarchy: military, religious, police state) regimes. *Use the learning objects created by Algonquin College (2 flash files). One learning object is an association type exercise to review characteristics of these regimes. The other learning object is a multiple choice quiz to assess students’ knowledge. *Request made for Algonquin students to create these 2 learning objects. Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes Page 4 of 6 Small World Big Picture, Expedition Africa 2006 Activity #2 Outline characteristics Outline characteristics of two main categories of government regimes: Democratic and Authoritarian. This info is available in Grade 10 Civics textbooks, Grade 12 Politics and on the Internet. Activity #3 Film Study – Cry Freedom (3 periods, homework) In order to help students flush out what Democracy is not – and what Authoritarian regimes are, view the film Cry Freedom, 1987, Hollywood – 2 hours and 37 minutes. Available to purchase on DVD through Amazon videos for $ 9.99 – with shipping and handling comes to $ 20.00. There is a film questionnaire attached. Activity #4 Argumentative Paragraph (1 period, homework) Based on the film study Cry Freedom, students will prepare an argumentative paragraph – they must have 5 distinct arguments which are supported by events from the film. Assignment and evaluation is attached. Please note, it is very useful to help organize students by brainstorming on the board together on what are their main arguments and which specific examples from the film they can use to prove their thesis/opinion. Students must include a brief comparison to Canadian society. ~ no freedom of expression … examples from film ~ no legal rights … ~ no right to participate in government … ~ police and military terrorism … ~ no mobility rights … ~ no equality rights … Activity #5 Cartoon Assignment (1 period, homework) Students prepare two cartoon strips which illustrate the difference between Democratic and Authoritarian regimes – based on 3 main characteristics of each. See attached assignment and evaluation. Activity #6 Connection with South Africa (1 period or homework) (i) Have access to live to video clip interview(s) done by Ben with South African citizens. Particularly to find out: ~ what a day in their lives is like, ~ what the near future holds for them (secondary schooling, work, post-secondary studies) ~ how Apartheid has affected them and/or their families Activity #7 Collage (1 period, homework) Have students prepare a collage which illustrates South Africa under Apartheid and Post-Apartheid (using Photoshop or by hand). See attached assignment and evaluation. Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes Page 5 of 6 Small World Big Picture, Expedition Africa 2006 Feedback Page Please provide us with your feedback on this lesson and/or its available resources. We welcome suggestions for improvements, additional methodologies, and/or new resources you may have found to support the lesson(s). If you would like to submit your own lesson plan(s) or curriculum idea(s) please contact your school board representative listed at http://www.algonquincollege.com/africa Last Name First Name M.I. School Board Address Apt./Unit City Phone Province ( ) Postal Code E-Mail Lesson Plan Title: Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes Page 6 of 6