1. Thinking About Issues and Themes
Preparing for 1984

2. Pairing Up: 1984 Partner Clock
You will be working with partners during this activity, and for others throughout this unit. For each question, you will find a new partner. You will sign each other’s “clocks” at the appropriate spots as we go through the activity.
For future activities, I will call out a time and that is the partner you will work with for the activity.

3. 1 O'clock Question
A wide range of governmental structures and entities, from totalitarian regimes to socialist to libertarian governments, have been proposed by political theorists throughout history.
Totalitarian: government control all aspects of society
Socialist: government collectively owns/operates some markets or services
Libertarian: government should intervene and control as little as possible
How much of a role do you feel government should have in the lives of its citizens?

4. 2 O'clock Question
What is your worst fear? Why do you fear it? What would you do if you were forced to confront this fear?

5. 3 O'clock Question Consider the following statement:
“Children should turn their parents in
if they are breaking the law.”
Do you agree or disagree? Why?

6. 4 O'clock Question
Our images are frequently recorded as we go about our day. You are probably recorded when you enter a store or bank. You are recorded while in a school setting.
Are businesses and schools justified in recording you without your express permission? Why or why not? What are the pros and cons of being recorded as you go about your day?

7. 5 O'clock Question
Is it morally justifiable for a country or government to conduct some degree of surveillance of its citizens— for example, by having traffic cameras to catch speeders, security cameras in public places to catch crimes in action, or by monitoring telephone and communications to screen for potential terrorists?

8. 6 O'clock Question
Name a famous event in history—one that happened before you were born and which you did not witness yourself.
Now answer these questions:
What were your sources of information about this event?
How do you know this event actually occurred?

9. “If you really love someone, you will never betray them.”
7 O'clock Question
Consider the following statement:
“If you really love someone, you will never betray them.”
Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

10. 8 O'clock Question
Humans are social creatures and thrive on interactions with others. Some social scientists argue that by using technology to communicate with each other (i.e. texting instead of having a face-to-face conversations), humans are actually isolating themselves instead of socializing.
Do you agree or disagree with this assertion? Why or why not?
What are some examples of technology that allows people to communicate when they otherwise could not?
What are some examples of when technology inhibits human communication?

11. “In order to ensure peace, we must prepare for war.”
9 O'clock Question
Consider the following statement:
“In order to ensure peace, we must prepare for war.”
What does this mean? In what sense could someone argue that this statement was true? Do you agree or disagree with this premise?

12. 10 O'clock Question Consider the following statement:
“In order for an idea to exist,
we must have the words to express is.”
What does this mean? In what sense could someone argue that this statement was true? Do you agree or disagree with this premise? Can you think of an example to support your reasoning?

13. 11 O'clock Question
Prisoners are often isolated from others. Do you feel that isolation is justified or should it be considered cruel and unusual punishment? Explain your reasoning.

14. 12 O'clock Question Consider the following statement:
“Torture of a person who is a threat to
your country’s freedom is acceptable
as long as the person does not die”
Do you agree or disagree? Explain your position. Why might someone think differently? What would you say about their concerns?