Humanities
Layered
Curriculum Unit: The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
Kathleen Moylan
Worcester Technical HS, MA
C level DUE DATE: __________________________
Core question discussion date:________________________
Salon
date:_________________________
Unit Overview:
This unit will explore the
changes that took place in Europe as a result of scientific inquiry and
the Age of Reason (Enlightenment), in which science, government, and
philosophy sought to better understand the nature of man and the
universe
After completing this unit, you will be able to:
Core Question: How are we still children of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment?
Mandatory assignment:
Complete one historical document analysis sheet for one of the readings below 10-15 points each
“Letter to Christina of Tuscany” Galileo
“Discourse on Method” Descartes
“Attack on the Copernican Theory” Bellarmine
“On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres” Copernicus
Mary Wollstonecraft “Wollstonecraft and Rousseau”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau “The Social Contract”
Denis Diderot “Natural Law”
Voltaire “A Plea for Tolerance and Reason”
Adam Smith “The Wealth of Nations”
President George W. Bush Second Inaugural Address
Others to be named later!
Listen and take notes on the following lectures: (must be completed on lecture day for credit) 5 points each
Galileo Rocks the Universe _________
Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau: The State of Nature and the Nature of Man________
The Declaration of Independence: the Best Document ever written!___________
Voltaire: “The Best of All
Possible Worlds” _________
With the class, view the videotape: "What About God?" And answer the questions on the study guide
Read
and complete a historical document on the Dover, PA District Court
case 10 points
Read excerpts from the Iraqi Constitution and be able to explain the Enlightenment ideas that are found within the document 10 points
Read the handout “No
Scientific Revolution for Women” and answer the questions at the
end 10 points
As a team, (only 1 team per
class may do this, and all team members must have 30 points before
approaching me) create a 5-8 minute skit in which you reenact parts
of Galileo’s trial. The skit must be based on primary sources, and must
be historically accurate (with a slight allowance for humor!); the
entire trial transcript is on line, so you should have no trouble
locating sources. 20 points
Using
your lecture notes from Descartes, Bacon, and Newton, draw three
pictures representing the ideas of the three thinkers. Be prepared to
explain how each picture represents what each of the scientists
believed about how one acquires knowledge **see art criteria for this
assignment! No scribbles! 10 points
Create a “WANTED”
poster of a Scientific Revolution or Enlightenment figure. Be
sure to include why he/she is wanted, by whom, and what
the reward will be if found. Be
creative! 10 points
Compare and contrast
the music of Bach and Mozart (bring in audio samples), and be
able to answer the following question: how did their music reflect the
different ages in which they lived? 15 points
Read
Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal; be prepared to compare
Swift’s work with Candide in the class discussion scheduled for
_____________________________
Create a storyboard that contains the central ideas of Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal. Be ready to explain the significance of the pamphlet, and what Swift’s proposal demonstrates about Enlightenment society 10 points
Research
a building in Washington DC and be ready to explain its neoclassical
influences 10 points
Combined A/B level assignment: The European Salon DUE DATE: _______________________
Fun, Food, and Philosophy!
** Students who exceed the standard will get an A for the assignment; students who meet standard will get a B
Choose one of the
following Enlightenment figures to represent in a class European salon.
You must research your person, and be prepared to answer
questions such as those listed below. See the talk show/interview
rubric for information on how to achieve the standard. Characters will
be assigned on a first come- first choice basis, and you must have 50
points in order to choose your person. Be sure to prepare your answers
ahead of time, and be sure your answers are historically accurate. You must
use primary sources in the salon, and you must quote your
person directly. See me with questions, or if you’re having trouble
locating sources
The Cast:
Madame de Pompadour: hostess
Julie de Lespinasse: hostess Thomas Hobbes Christopher Wren
John Locke Catherine the Great Joseph II
Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin Adam Smith
Jonathan Swift Denis Diderot Olympe de Gouges
Sir Isaac Newton Galileo Abigail Adams
John Adams
If your presentation does not meet standard, you will be required to write out answers to the questions below for your assigned person, and arrange to go over these questions in an interview with me—before or after school. In addition, you will not be able to achieve a grade higher than a B on the assignment.
If you are not prepared on
salon day, you will not have an opportunity to redo the assignment, nor
any other B level assignment
Questions to think about for the salon: (USE PRIMARY SOURCES TO ANSWER THESE WHENEVER POSSIBLE!)
What is the nature of man?
What do you value (what is important to you)?
Is there a God? If so, what is God?
What is your relationship with other people at the salon? (need specifics)
What role should the United
States play in rebuilding Iraq? What role should the Iraqi people play?
One last shot at A level
(for those who meet, but do not exceed the standard on the salon)
A level participants may go for an A+ by participating in the
seminar
Participate in a Socratic Seminar on the essay “How the Heavens Go,” focused on the relationship between the Catholic Church and science