Lesson
Challenges of American Citizenship in the new Millennium
Guiding question
What attributes of good character, or virtues, are necessary for human flourishing, for self-government and for the survival of a republic?
Objectives
- Students will identify civic virtues that are essential to self-government.
- Students will recognize the civic virtues implied in the U.S. Constitution.
Materials
Lesson Components
There is no way the Constitution will work if the people lose their virtue. Almost every Founding Father said or wrote something along these lines. A self-governing polity can only succeed when it is composed of individuals who can govern themselves. And if the people do not control themselves, they will either descend into self-destructive anarchy or come together in support of a dictator or despot emerging to embody their collective greed and lust for power. They would vote to give him more and more power, even as they congratulated themselves on their wisdom.
Lesson plan
Key Terms
- justice
- individual responsibility
- Constitution
- Thomas Jefferson
- republic
Standards
Related materials
There is no way the Constitution will work if the people lose their virtue. Almost every Founding Father said or wrote something along these lines. A self-governing polity can only succeed when it is composed of individuals who can govern themselves. And if the people do not control themselves, they will either descend into self-destructive anarchy or come together in support of a dictator or despot emerging to embody their collective greed and lust for power. They would vote to give him more and more power, even as they congratulated themselves on their wisdom.
An exploration of the principles and virtues that shape the American republic and help form the conscience of the nation’s people.