1. Session: Introduction to Democratic Theory & Philosophy- A Closer Look at Humans

2. The Semester Breakdown By Units
We will be exploring the following Units throughout the course of the semester:
Unit 1: Democratic Theory & Philosophy
Unit 2: Democratic Dissent
Unit 3: The Trump Phenomenon
Unit 4: Race & The Justice System

3. What You Are Doing By End of the Week…

4. The Theme for the Course…
In order to REALLY understand how our society works, how the realities of life work, and how situations have managed to become so problematic for many people along time and geography…
What is the Lowest Common Denominator?...
WE ARE…HUMANS
This course is really about HUMANS

5. What We are Exploring This Week…
Introduction to Democratic Theory & Philosophy
Humans, Power & Tyranny
Democratic Values, Beliefs, and Processes
Enlightenment Thinkers (Locke & Hobbes)
Connecting All of These Concepts
Note: All of these will help you write your personal philosophy on humanity in the Blog

6. Humans, Power, & Tyranny…
Our “story” from day one begins with this internal struggle with having power and what we do with it
From the Bible’s Adam & Eve, Lucifer the Fallen Angel, Greek and Roman myths about gods to Marvel’s Avengers movies… the story remains the same…

7. Unit 1: Essential Question
How does the Constitution guard against tyranny? VS

8. Preamble: A little philosophy before we start…
Take 2 mins to answer for YOURSELF (this is your view of the world) the following question…
Do you believe babies are born “bad”, therefore need to be taught “good”? OR
Do you believe babies are born “good”, therefore are taught to be “bad”?

9. A View From a Distance…How we “See” the world = how we “See” Democracy

10. The Dead Gazelle: A Case Study

11. Conclusions & Inferences on the Dead Gazelle
Take the next 2 mins to debrief your OBSERVATIONS from the Dead Gazelle-what are the two of you thinking?
Bringing this out to the floor…
Now, “initial conclusions/inferences”…
How do animals in the jungle resolve this problem?

12. The Dead Gazelle: A Case Study

13. New Conclusions & Inferences on the Animals as Humans and “Dead Gazelle”
Now, pretend these animals are HUMANS…what changes? Is there anything different that could happen?
Take the next 2 mins to debrief your OBSERVATIONS from the Dead Gazelle-what are the two of you thinking?
Bringing this out to the floor…
Now, “initial conclusions/inferences”…
How would humans in the “jungle” resolve this problem?

14. A Closer “Look” at Humans
To better understand ourselves, we have to have an honest “look” at ourselves
What we are going to examine now is the following:
You will draw a silhouette of a human
You will fill out the silhouette with what you feel and think makes us “human”
You can focus on “all” aspects of human, good & bad, light & dark, etc
You will share your silhouette and discuss what “qualities” do we as humans posses that define who we are with your partner

15. Morgana’s “View” of Humanity
Has a story and past
Capacity to hate
Can reflect
Selfish & greedy
Can love
Rational thinker
Easily influenced
complex
Capacity to create beauty
Capacity for isolation
Can make decisions
Hungry to consume
Has memories
Vulnerable to environment
Ability to empathize
Narrow minded
Can be a part of group/family
Levels of assholery
multidimensional

16. Debrief and Next Steps…
Take a look at your silhouette for about 30 seconds…
Do you notice anything about how your “human” is probably divided or broken up?
Probably in two, two sides, two sides of the same coin…this has a name…
The Duality or Dichotomy of humanity
What do we do with this “split” in humanity?
How do we reconcile (make peace) with this split?
What are the ramifications (effects) of this on society?

17. The Realities…

18. Closure & Thinking Log
Take the next 3-5 mins to do the following to close out our session for today:
In your thinking log conclusions/analysis section write down your thoughts with these questions as a guide
How do you “see” humanity now after this first conversation?
What are your initial “conclusions” on what we need to deal with the duality/dichotomy of humanity given the realities we saw today in photographs?