Active learning ideas
Social contract theory explores the implicit agreement between individuals and the state. Students investigate the 'state of nature' as described by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, and evaluate what we give up in exchange for the benefits of society. This topic is essential for understanding the legitimacy of government and the limits of political power.
Activity 01
Divide students into groups representing different social interests (e.g., business owners, workers, parents). They must negotiate a 'social contract' that everyone can agree to, deciding which rights to give up and which to protect.
What is the state of nature?
Activity 02
Using a real Canadian example (e.g., a pipeline protest), students debate whether the protesters are 'breaking the contract' or 'fixing a broken one.'
What do citizens give up in exchange for state protection?
Activity 03
Students imagine a world with no laws or police for one week. They write down three things they would do, then share with a partner to see if their 'state of nature' is more like Hobbes' (war) or Locke's (cooperation).
When is civil disobedience justified?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
The 'social contract' is a real piece of paper that someone signed.
It is a philosophical metaphor for the relationship between citizens and the state. Active learning that focuses on 'implicit' agreements in their own lives (like in a classroom) can help students understand this abstract concept.
Civil disobedience is just 'rioting' or 'law-breaking.'
Philosophically, civil disobedience is a deliberate, non-violent act intended to highlight an injustice. Peer-led investigations into figures like Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. can help students see the 'principled' side of law-breaking.
Methods used in this brief
The State and Political Authority
Students examine the justification for the existence of the state and the nature of political authority. They explore different forms of government and the concept of sovereignty.
8 methodologies
Justice, Rights, and Equality
This topic explores the concepts of distributive justice, human rights, and social equality. Students analyze how societies should distribute resources and protect individual liberties.
8 methodologies