Context

Civilisation, barbarism, and the concept of modernity are central ideas for understanding the structure of society and human relations. These concepts were fundamental for the formation of modern societies and still greatly influence our lives.

Theoretical Introduction

The concept of civilisation is often defined as the phase of human development marked by the emergence of complex and organised societies, the mastery of writing, and the systematic practice of agriculture. This notion is generally contrasted with the idea of barbarism, used to refer to societies that, from the perspective of a particular culture, are seen as less developed or uncivilised.

The concept of modernity, in turn, refers to the historical period that begins with the end of feudalism and the rise of capitalism, characterised by the belief in progress, reason, and the human capacity to create a better world through technology and science.

However, it is important to emphasise that these definitions are not absolute and have been widely debated and revised in philosophy, sociology, and other fields of knowledge.

Contextualisation

Studying civilisation, barbarism, and modernity allows us a broader perspective on how our societies were formed, our ideas about progress and development, and how these notions influence our relationships and everyday interactions.

In a globalised world, these concepts become even more important, as they allow a better understanding of cultural differences, power relations, and the tensions that exist in the current international scenario.

To delve deeper into this topic, I recommend reading the book "The Idea of Civilisation" by Norbert Elias, and the book "Modernity and Self-Identity" by Anthony Giddens. These authors discuss these concepts in depth and their implications for contemporary society.

I also recommend the documentary "Barbarians", available on Netflix, which presents an interesting perspective on how societies considered "barbarian" helped to shape the modern world. And, for a more critical look at the idea of modernity, I suggest Walter Benjamin's work in the essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction".

Practical Activity

Title of Activity: "Is Crime Civilised?"

Objective of Project:

To analyse and discuss the concepts of civilisation, barbarism, and modernity using the penal and prison systems of different countries and historical periods as an example.

Detailed Description of Project:

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5, will be responsible for investigating how different societies deal with the issue of crime and punishment. They should choose two societies from different historical periods and cultural contexts to compare their approaches to the subject. They should focus on issues such as the definition of crime, the methods of punishment, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.

The groups must produce a written report and an oral presentation based on their findings. The report should contain an introduction, development, conclusions, and bibliography used. The oral presentation should summarise their findings and present them in an engaging and accessible way to their peers.

Materials Needed:

1. Access to a library or online resources for research.
2. Paper and pens for notes.
3. Computer with word processing software for writing the report.
4. Presentation software to prepare the oral presentation.

Step by Step:

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students;
2. Choose two societies from different historical periods and cultures to compare;
3. Research how these societies define crime, what their methods of punishment are, and how they deal with the rehabilitation and reintegration of criminals;
4. Analyse the similarities and differences between these societies and discuss what these differences can tell us about the concepts of civilisation, barbarism, and modernity;
5. Write a detailed report of your findings, including an introduction, development, conclusions, and bibliography used;
6. Design and rehearse an oral presentation that summarises your findings;
7. Present your findings to the class.

Delivery and Writing of the Document:

Students will be responsible for presenting their findings in both written and oral form. The oral presentation will allow them to share their findings with the class in a clear and engaging way.

The written report should be structured as follows:

1. Introduction: Should contextualise the chosen theme, its relevance and application in the real world, and the objectives of this project.
2. Development: Should explain the theory behind the central themes of the project, explain the activity in detail, and indicate the methodology used. It should also present and discuss the results obtained from your research.
3. Conclusion: Summarising the main points discussed, explaining the lessons learned, and the conclusions drawn about the project.
4. Bibliography: Indicating the sources used to develop the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Each part of the report should reflect the teamwork and joint effort of the group members. Collaboration is fundamental for the success of this project.