Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | State Building

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This objectives stage is vital for directing both students and teachers during lessons. By clearly outlining expected outcomes, it ensures all following activities align with the desired learning results. Moreover, it sets students up for active and insightful participation in discussions, enabling them to leverage previously acquired knowledge to deepen their understanding of State construction.

Objective Utama:

1. Empower students to understand the main ideas and characteristics involved in creating a modern State, with a focus on power dynamics and democracy.

2. Help students analyse and connect the concepts of power and democracy with the formation and development of modern States.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage lively participation among students through debates and critical examinations of how the concepts studied apply to current events.

Introduction

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

This introduction aims to engage students with the lesson theme, presenting scenarios that compel them to think critically about how power and democracy manifest in State construction. Using relatable and relevant examples bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, boosting student interest and comprehension of the topic's significance.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine a newly independent nation needing to establish its government. What key actions should be taken whilst considering power and democracy in State formation?

2. A group of revolutionaries comes to power in a country suffering under years of dictatorship. How could these leaders apply democratic principles to build a more stable and inclusive State?

Contextualization

Building a modern State is a complicated journey that goes beyond just defining laws and political structures; it involves negotiating power dynamics and institutionalising democracy. Notably, many contemporary democracies have experienced spells of authoritarian rule before achieving stability. For instance, Greece, which transitioned back to democracy from a lengthy military dictatorship, now operates as a parliamentary republic. These real-life examples highlight the practical application of the concepts we discuss in class.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development phase is tailored for students to practically engage and creatively apply power and democracy concepts in creating and managing a State. Working in groups through stimulating and interactive activities allows students to solidify theoretical knowledge via practice while developing crucial skills in argumentation, negotiation, and teamwork. This phase is key to converting acquired learning into action, helping students experience the challenges and dynamics of political power firsthand.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Utopia Builders: Recreating an Ideal State

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply concepts of power and democracy to construct an Ideal State while honing argumentation and teamwork skills.

- Description: Students will form groups of up to 5 to design and present their vision of an 'Ideal State'. They must take into account aspects like the division of powers, citizen involvement, and individual and social rights. Each group will get scenario and challenge cards (e.g., economic downturn, external threats) that must be integrated into their State project.

- Instructions:

• Split the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Hand out the scenario and challenge cards to each group.

• Each group discusses and sketches out on paper the governance structures and policies they plan to implement to tackle the challenges presented.

• Create a 10-minute presentation to explain their Ideal State, justifying their choices using the concepts of power and democracy studied.

Activity 2 - The Power Game: Simulating Politics

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Comprehend the workings of an electoral campaign and the influence of power strategies on democracy while fostering debate and negotiation skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will enact an election for the role of 'President of the Ideal State' created in the previous task. Each group will receive a fictional candidate's profile and must craft an electoral campaign featuring government proposals and strategies to sway their classmates to vote (who are the other students). Once the campaigns have been presented, a vote will determine the president of the Ideal State.

- Instructions:

• Share the candidates' profiles among the groups.

• Each group devises an electoral campaign that includes slogans, proposals, and outreach strategies.

• Present these campaigns to the whole class.

• Carry out the voting process to elect the 'President of the Ideal State.'

Activity 3 - Power Dilemmas: A Debate on Ethics and Governance

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance argumentation and critical thinking abilities regarding ethical dilemmas in politics while deepening insight into democratic principles.

- Description: Students will engage in a structured debate where each group defends an ethical stance concerning power dilemmas (for instance, balancing economic recovery versus environmental protection). The debate scenarios will draw on real-world challenges faced by governments globally, encouraging students to support their positions with arguments rooted in democratic and power concepts.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups and assign each a power dilemma scenario.

• Each group prepares their standpoint and arguments for the debate.

• Conduct the debate, giving each group the chance to present and answer critiques from opponents.

• Wrap up with a collective reflection on how concepts of power and democracy shape complex governance decisions.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This group discussion stage aims to consolidate student learning by allowing reflection on the practical use of power and democracy concepts in State construction. It aids in expanding understanding through exposure to varied perspectives while enhancing communication and argumentation skills. This part also provides the teacher an opportunity to assess student comprehension and clarify any lingering doubts, ensuring the lesson objectives are met.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher can ask each group to share the main features of their Ideal State and the strategies employed in the electoral simulation. Following these presentations, the teacher should steer a broader discussion, prompting students to contemplate the differences among the States created by their peers and how these contrast reflect power and democracy concepts. Suggested guiding questions include: How do the power structures in your Ideal State affect democracy’s functioning? What challenges did you encounter when implementing democratic principles in your Ideal State?

Key Questions

1. How did power and democracy manifest in each group's Ideal State?

2. Which strategies were most successful during the electoral simulation, and why?

3. What insights can you gain from these activities to better understand how modern States function?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion aims to reinforce learning, reaffirming key concepts and the ties between theory and practice. It stresses the significance of Sociology in civic education and understanding the challenges and responsibilities in democratic societies. This final reflection encourages students to see the relevance of what they learned in everyday life and appreciate the importance of sociological insights.

Summary

To wrap up, the teacher should summarise the key points covered during the lesson, revisiting how the modern State is built and the interplay between power and democracy. It is essential to reinforce the concepts discussed through practical activities like creating an Ideal State and the electoral simulation, illustrating how these dynamics play out in the political realm.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, the link between theory and practice has been showcased via engaging activities that enabled students to apply theoretical concepts to hypothetical scenarios. This method not only aided students in grasping the material better but also illustrated the relevance of sociological theories in understanding and transforming real political situations.

Closing

Lastly, it is critical to highlight the importance of studying State construction for students' civic education. Understanding how principles of power and democracy intertwine in public administration and social organisation is crucial for youth to actively engage in political discourse and decision-making that impacts their communities and nations.