1 EdTech 541 Teacher Guide : Social Networking and Community Building

Ed Tech 541 - Social Networking and Community Building Assignment

Module: The Foundations of Liberalism

Overview

The content of this Module, relates to Related Issue 2: To what extent is resistance to liberalism justified?

In this module, students develop a deeper understanding of liberalism and the varying perspectives that
may exist within liberal democracies. They then begin an exploration of the early implementations of
liberal ideals in ancient societies. Finally, they explore the development and implementation of classical
liberal ideas in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries.

Outcomes, Activities, and Assignments: Alberta Education Curriculum

Section 1: An Introduction to Liberalism

Outcomes

Related Issue 1: To what extent should ideology be the foundation of identity?

General Outcome: Students will explore the relationship between identity and ideology.

Values and Attitudes

1.2 appreciate various perspectives regarding the relationship between individualism and common
good (PADM, C, GC)
Knowledge and Understanding

1.4 examine historic and contemporary expressions of individualism and collectivism
(I, C, LPP, TCC)
1.5 examine the characteristics of ideology (interpretations of history, beliefs about human nature,
beliefs about the structure of society, visions for the future) (TCC, PADM, LPP)
1.7 analyze individualism as a foundation of ideology (principles of liberalism: individual rights and
freedoms, self-interest, competition, economic freedom, rule of law, private property) (PADM,
ER, C)
Skills and Processes

S.1 develop skills of critical thinking and creative thinking
S.7 applying the research process
S.9 developing skills of media literacy
Section Question: What is liberalism?


2 EdTech 541 Teacher Guide : Social Networking and Community Building

Lessons

Module 2
Section 1
Lesson 1: Learning the Basics of Liberal Democracy
Lesson
Question
What are the basic beliefs and values associated with liberal democracy?
Synopsis Students are asked to recall their prior knowledge related to the characteristics of liberal
democracy and then, through an Internet search, expand on and solidify that knowledge.
Key
Concepts
Liberal democracies incorporate a variety of practices designed to
o ensure rule by the people
o limit the power of government
o protect individual rights and freedoms
o promote equality among citizens
Estimated
Time
One, 80-minute period
Resources
Worksheet: Liberal Democracy: Reviewing What You Already Know
Worksheet: Principles of Liberal Democracy
Marking Guide: Principles of Liberal Democracy
Scoring Rubric: Principles of Liberal Democracy
Internet Links
o http://www.liberaldemocracy.ca/Liberal_Democracy.html
o http://www.america.gov/publications/books/principles-of-democracy.html
o http://www.civiced.org/pdfs/books/ElementsOfDemocracy/Elements_Subsectio
n3.pdf
Lesson
Elements
Get Focused Students are provided with a brief overview of the
history of liberalism.
Explore

Students are informed that activities in the lesson (the
Assignment and Discover elements) will provide them
with the detailed understanding of liberalism.
Assignment Students are required to reflect on what they already
know about democracy and record their reflections on a
worksheet.
Using the Internet, students are required to do research to
expand their knowledge of the fundamental principles of
liberal democracy and to record those principles and
provide examples.
Potential
Misconcepti
ons and
Difficulties
Some students may have difficulty generating examples to illustrate liberal principles.
Remind students that examples can be drawn from current events or historical case studies.
Examples can also be hypothetical in nature, provided that they accurately illustrate the
associated principle.

Liberal Democracy: Reviewing What You Already Know

Students are to use Skype and Mixedink
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For this section as the class must complete the chart as a group problem.

Students will list as many characteristics and principles associated with liberal democracy as they can
think off. Some sample responses have been provided.

Principle of Liberal
Democracy
Example or Explanation
right to a fair trial In a democracy, anyone charged with a crime has the right to a trial by an
impartial judge or jury. People are not thrown in prison just because the
countrys ruler wants to get rid of them.
freedom of religion People are allowed to believe in whatever god or gods they want to.
right to vote People who are old enough can vote to choose their leaders.
right to live where you want People can live in whatever part of the country they choose.

Principles of Liberal Democracy answer key
8 marks

These are some potential responses. Students may subdivide some of their answers to provide more detail.

Characteristic
or Basic
Principle of
Liberal
Democracy
Brief
Description (in
your own
words)
A Real or
Theoretical
Example of This
Characteristic
or Principle
An Opposite or
Non-Example of
This
Characteristic
of Liberal
Democracy
Source of
Information
Questions I Still
Have or Points I
Need
Clarification on
from My
Teacher
rule of law Rule of law means
that all people in a
society are subject
to the same laws,
regardless of
wealth, position in
society, and so on.
If a prime minister
were found to be
driving impaired,
he or she would be
charged and put on
trial like any other
person.
A royal prince
murders another
person but is not
charged because
his father is the
king.
http://www.wisege
ek.com/what-is-a-
liberal-
democracy.html
Does rule of law
mean the same
thing as equality
before the law?
free and fair
elections
All adult citizens
may participate
and vote for
whoever they
choose without
fear. Ballots will
be counted fairly.
Scrutineers or
independent
observers are
allowed to monitor
the election and
verify its fairness.
Voters must cast
ballots in the open
while armed
supporters of the
governing party
look over their
shoulders.

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protection of
minority rights
The majority may
decide who comes
to power, but they
can bring in laws
that strip
fundamental
human rights away
from minorities.
Homosexuals
cannot be fired
from a job or
prevented from
renting
accommodation on
the basis of their
sexual orientation,
even if the
majority in the
community
disagree with their
lifestyle.
Japanese-
Canadians were
rounded up and
interned in World
War II largely on
the basis of their
race and heritage
rather than any real
security threat they
posed.

protection of basic
human rights
Fundamental
freedoms and
rights, such as
freedom of religion
or freedom of
speech, are
protected.
A person can,
without fear of
government
reprisal, write a
letter to the editor
of a newspaper in
which the
government is
openly criticized.
An individual is
imprisoned
because this person
expresses a
religious opinion
that differs from
what is sanctioned
by the state.

separation of
powers
No single
government entity
controls all aspects
of the government.
There are distinct
executive,
legislative, and
judicial branches.
In Canada, the
legislative branch
can bring about the
downfall of the
executive branch
by passing a non-
confidence motion.
A president orders
a judge to convict
a political rival of
treason, despite the
fact there is no
evidence to
support the charge.

due process of law Individuals
charged with a
crime can expect a
speedy and fair
trial.
An individual
charged with a
crime may select
to be tried by judge
or jury and may
have a lawyer to
represent him or
her.
An individual is
held in prison for
years awaiting a
trial that is
continually
postponed by the
government.

existence of more
than one political
party
At least two or
more distinct
political parties
exist to give voters
some political
alternatives.
Canada has
multiple political
parties for which
citizens can vote.
The communist
party in the former
Soviet Union was
the only political
party whose name
appeared on the
ballot.

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existence of a
constitutional
document or
documents
A constitution
exists which
delineates the
powers of
government and
the rights of the
people and which
takes precedence
over contradictory
laws passed by the
government.
Abortion laws
were struck down
in Canada when
the courts
determined that
they violated parts
of the constitution
that protected an
individuals right
to security of the
person.
A government may
ignore freedom of
speech or bring in
laws forbidding
free speech
because the
constitution does
not limit the
governments
power to do so.

government
accountability
Governments are
accountable to the
police and the
courts for any
wrongdoings If
they perform
poorly.
Governments are
also accountable to
the electorate
through periodic
elections.
The Progressive
Conservative
government in
Canada suffered a
massive defeat in
the 1993 federal
election after
passing the hugely
unpopular GST
and bringing in
other unpopular
policies.
Government
officials openly
funnel taxpayer
dollars into
personal bank
accounts, but a
lack of fair
elections makes it
impossible to
remove these
corrupt officials
from office.

freedom of the
press
News media have
reasonable access
to the government
and may openly
report on, and
potentially
criticize,
government
policies.
A press gallery
exists in the House
of Commons
where reporters
may observe and
report on
parliamentary
debates.
Government
officials enter a
newspaper office
and arrest staff
who have written
articles critical of
the government.

independent
judiciary
Judges cannot be
summarily
removed from
office or otherwise
intimidated by the
executive branch.
Judges in Alberta
successfully fought
a government
ordered wage
rollback on the
principle that such
actions could be
used in future to
intimidate judges
who rendered
judgments
unfriendly to the
government.
A president orders
a judge to convict
a political rival of
treason, despite the
fact there is no
evidence to
support the charge.
The judge convicts
the presidents
rival for fear he or
she will be fired.


1. Answers will attempt to quantify the students prior knowledge and new learning and highlight
student views with respect to key tenets of liberal democracy.

2. Student responses should incorporate the basic concept that the people control the government. More
sophisticated answers will highlight the protection of minority rights.

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Principles of Liberal Democracy Rubric
8 marks

Student Name:_____________________________

Excellent Proficient Emerging Unsatisfactory Insufficient
Depth and
Completeness of
Research
4
The chart
represents a
comprehensive
and thorough
survey of the
fundamental
principles of
liberal
democracy. The
student has listed
more than eight
basic principles
over and above
simple basic
rights and
freedoms
The list provided
is clearly the
product of
extensive and
careful research.
3
The chart
represents a
competent
survey of the
fundamental
principles of
liberal
democracy.
The student has
listed at least
eight basic
principles over
and above simple
basic rights and
freedoms.
The list provided
is clearly the
product of solid
and appropriate
research.
2
The chart
represents a
cursory survey of
the fundamental
principles of
liberal
democracy.
The student has
listed at least
four basic
principles over
and above simple
basic rights and
freedoms. The
list provided is
clearly the
product of some
research.
1
The chart
represents a
perfunctory and
simplistic survey
of the fundamental
principles of
liberal
democracy. The
student has listed
fewer than four
basic principles, or
has four or more
items, but the
items provided are
little more than a
list of basic rights
and freedoms.
If research was
carried out, it
appears to have
been limited.

The response is
so scant, or of
such poor
quality, that
assessment is not
possible.
Understanding
of Concepts
4
Precise
definitions and
carefully chosen,
detailed
examples reveal
a sophisticated
understanding of
the concepts and
principles listed.
3
Generally
accurate
definitions and
adequate
examples reveal
a sound
understanding of
the concepts and
principles listed.
2
Occasionally
flawed
definitions and
inappropriate
examples reveal
a partial
understanding of
the concepts and
principles listed.
1
Definitions and
examples, if they
exist, are incorrect
or inappropriate
and reveal a
minimal or
simplistic
understanding of
the concepts and
principles listed.

The response is
so scant, or of
such poor
quality, that
assessment is not
possible.

Total mark ___/8

Teachers Comments:





7 EdTech 541 Teacher Guide : Social Networking and Community Building

Module 2
Section 1
Lesson 2: Ideological Perspectives Under Liberalism
Lesson Question What ideological perspectives exist under the umbrella of liberal democracy?
Synopsis The labels liberal and conservative as they exist within liberal democracy are further
explained and clarified.
Key Concepts The labels liberal and conservative can be used to describe differing perspectives
regarding which political, economic, and social values should be encouraged in a
liberal democracy.
Estimated Time One, 80-minute period
Resources All necessary resources exist within the body of the lesson.
Lesson Elements
Get Focused Students are introduced to the concept that the terms liberal and
conservative can be used to describe divergent perspectives that
exist under a broader defintion of liberalism.
Explore

The lesson opens with the following Discover element.
Discover Students are required to view a narrated video, Under the
Umbrella of Liberalism, that introduces them to the political,
economic, and social values commonly associated with the terms
liberal and conservative as they are used within a democracy.
Understanding
and Responding
Students are asked to view the video a second time, this time
making a concept map or a set of notes.
Check Your
Understanding
In a multimedia element, students are presented with a series of
political cartoons which they must analyze. They must then
correctly identify the perspective presented in each cartoon from
a series of four possible perspectives. Hints, if necessary, are
provided to guide students to the correct answer.
Going Beyond Students are encouraged to research the use of colour to symbolize particular
ideological perspectives.
Assessment Tips Teachers may wish to verify that students have completed the note-making activity in
the Understanding and Responding element and provide feedback where appropriate.
Potential
Misconceptions and
Difficulties
Even though hints are provided, students may struggle with the interpretation of the
political cartoons in the Check Your Understanding element. Be prepared to provide
assistance. Students who struggle with the interpretation of political cartoons should
make use of the primer in the Toolkit.
Students should be encouraged to read, watch, or listen to newscasts. Doing so will
greatly reinforce their understanding of the concepts covered in this lesson.
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Section 1 Challenge: Explaining Liberalism to Others



Students are required to create a voicethread presentation that explain liberalism and the varying
perspectives that exist within liberal democracies. The format is that of a public service announcement
(PSA) and is modeled after the Hinterland Whos Who series produced by the Canadian Wildlife
Service. Students are asked to identify the key characteristics common to those people who support the
broad definition of liberalism, but to also note characteristics of the sub-species that exist within liberal
democracies.

Link to voicethread

Here is a link on how to do a voicethread

Students may use humour and irony where appropriate, but are encouraged to ensure that the final product
accurately reflects the concepts covered in the lesson.

Internet Research: Students are presented with an example of an original Hinterland Whos Who
public service announcement. Students are also encouraged to seek out examples of how others have
modelled video presentations on these iconic PSAs. However. students are advised, and teachers should
be aware, that some of these productions may contain objectionable content and subject matter.

Resources and information about contemporary PSAs and the original Hinterland Whos Who series
can be found here:

http://www.hww.ca/hww.asp?id=53&pid=3

Time Allotted: It is intended that students be allotted at least three, 80-minute periods to brainstorm and
complete this assignment. Teachers may increase or reduce the allotted time at their own discretion.

Assessment

Students will be assessed in two categories:

Knowledge and Content
Communication

A rubric has been provided.

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Section 1 Challenge: Explaining Liberalism to Others Rubric
20 marks

Student Name:_____________________________

Excellent Proficient Emerging Unsatisfactory Insufficient
Knowledge and
Content
16
The student has
provided the
audience with a
complete,
accurate, and
insightful picture
of liberalism and
its various
facets. The
material
included
thoroughly
details the key
aspects of
liberalism and
the perspectives
that exist within
it.
12
The student has
provided the
audience with a
solid and
generally
accurate
understanding of
liberalism and its
various facets.
The material
included
adequately
details the key
aspects of
liberalism and
the perspectives
that exist within
it.
8
The student has
provided the
audience with a
somewhat
incomplete,
fragmented, or
confused
understanding of
liberalism and its
various facets.
The material
included may be
undermined by
factual and/or
conceptual
errors.
4
The student has
provided the
audience with a
simplistic and/or
misinterpreted
understanding of
liberalism and its
various facets. The
material included
is incomplete,
insufficient, or full
of revealing errors.

The students
response is so
scant, or of such
poor quality, that
assessment is
not possible.
Communication 4
The student has
communicated
ideas in an
eloquent and
impressive
manner. The
approach to the
presentation of
information is
engaging and
imaginative.
3
The student has
communicated
ideas in an
effective and
competent
manner. The
approach to the
presentation of
information is
purposeful and
considered.
2
The student has
communicated
ideas in a
somewhat
confused or
incoherent
manner. The
approach to the
presentation of
information may
occasionally be
inappropriate or
careless.
1
The student has
been unable to
effectively
communicate key
ideas. Attempts at
communication are
largely unclear or
incomprehensible.
The approach to the
presentation of
information may be
wholly
inappropriate or
ineffectual.

The students
response is so
scant, or of such
poor quality, that
assessment is
not possible.

Total mark ___/20

Teachers Comments: