Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Freedom and Subjectivity

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives section sets out a clear foundation for what students should achieve by the lesson's conclusion. By outlining specific goals, the teacher assists students in grasping how freedom and subjectivity affect human choices, shaped by ethical considerations. This stage is essential for guiding upcoming activities and ensuring students can effectively apply prior knowledge in discussions and practical tasks during class.

Objective Utama:

1. Explore the concept of freedom and subjectivity, emphasizing their connections and how they impact individual and collective decision-making.

2. Examine how the freedom of choice ties into moral and ethical dilemmas, using both practical and theoretical examples to highlight these links.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Enhance critical thinking and debate skills by exploring different viewpoints on freedom and subjectivity.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of the introduction is to engage students with familiar content, presenting problem scenarios that encourage reflection and practical application of their understanding about freedom and subjectivity. Contextualizing the topic broadens students' awareness of its relevance in real-world situations, tying it to historical events and current affairs, leading to a richer discussion.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you are living in a country where the laws are really strict, limiting many of your personal freedoms. You learn that these laws were established to 'guard society' against various external and internal threats. How would you justify or contest these laws considering the idea of freedom and subjectivity?

2. Think back to an ethical dilemma you've faced. How did your personal perspective and the idea of freedom of choice influence your decision in that situation?

Contextualization

Freedom is a core principle in many cultures, but its definition and application differ widely across the globe and throughout history. For instance, during apartheid in South Africa, the divide stemmed not just from economic differences but also from conflicting beliefs about freedom and subjectivity. These disparities became evident in aspects like freedom of speech, land rights, and access to basic services. Understanding these historical contexts underscores the complexity and significance of exploring freedom and subjectivity.

Development

Duration: (70 - 80 minutes)

The Development section allows students to engage with their knowledge of freedom and subjectivity in hands-on and interactive ways. Through activities promoting dialogue, critical thinking, and teamwork, students dive into the nuanced aspects of these concepts in various contexts, from debates to visual arts and media analysis. This methodology aims to enrich students' understanding and enhance their analytical and argumentation skills, preparing them for a deeper grasp of the subjects discussed.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - The Great Freedom Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Sharpen argumentation skills and critical understanding of the intersection of freedom, subjectivity, and collective action.

- Description: Students will be split into groups of up to 5. Each group will represent a faction in a public debate regarding a proposed law that limits certain individual freedoms for a 'safer society.' They will receive a set of philosophical principles to argue for or against the law.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Clarify that each group will represent either a supporting or opposing stance on the proposed law.

• Provide each group with the philosophical principles beforehand.

• Allow time for groups to prepare their arguments based on the provided principles.

• Host a debate where each group presents their arguments and answers questions from other groups and the teacher.

• Wrap up the debate with a 'secret' vote (an anonymous ballot) to determine the outcome of the proposed law in this simulated scenario.

Activity 2 - Concept Map of Freedom and Ethics

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visually and creatively demonstrate the relationships between the concepts of freedom, subjectivity, morality, and ethics.

- Description: In this task, students will create a concept map to visualize the links between freedom, subjectivity, morality, and ethics using craft paper and coloured markers.

- Instructions:

• Provide scrap paper, markers, and stickers for each group.

• Invite each group to develop a concept map that links freedom, subjectivity, morality, and ethics.

• Students should use lines to illustrate connections and different colours to indicate various types of relationships.

• Move around to assist groups and clarify any uncertainties.

• Each group will then present their concept map to the class, explaining the design choices and the connections made.

Activity 3 - Philosophical Cinema: Freedom in Film

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Critically analyse and apply concepts of freedom and subjectivity within a cultural and cinematic framework.

- Description: In this segment, students will view a clip from a film that discusses issues around freedom and subjectivity, followed by a group discussion relating the film to the philosophical concepts studied. The selected clip will be deemed appropriate for the school setting.

- Instructions:

• Prepare the film clip to be shown in advance.

• Organize students into discussion groups.

• Screen the film clip for all students.

• Post-viewing, allow each group to discuss how the film links to the concepts of freedom and subjectivity.

• Each group should compile a brief report on their findings and observations.

• Wrap up with a whole-class discussion where each group shares their insights.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This stage aims to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to reflect on the diverse perspectives highlighted during the activities. This discussion bolsters their grasp of freedom and subjectivity and hones their argumentation and critical debate skills. Moreover, it gives students an opportunity to evaluate and express how philosophical reasoning can be relevant in both practical and theoretical scenarios.

Group Discussion

Once the activities are complete, gather all the students for a group discussion. Have each group share their key conclusions and arguments formed during the activities. Encourage them to reflect on how their individual or group viewpoints may have changed or strengthened throughout the experiences. Use the following questions to steer the discussion and ensure all relevant aspects are addressed:

Key Questions

1. What key connections did your group identify between freedom, morality, and ethics throughout the activities?

2. How did today’s discussions and activities shape or reinforce your understanding of freedom and subjectivity?

3. Was there a point when you needed to rethink your own views on freedom? If so, what prompted that shift?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The goal of the Conclusion is to reinforce learning, ensuring students have a clear and cohesive understanding of the explored concepts. This stage encourages reflection on the application of theory to practice, highlighting the significance of philosophical and ethical reasoning in their lives. It also paves the way for future discussions and applications of these ideas across different settings, both academically and personally.

Summary

In the Conclusion stage, the teacher should recap and reinforce the main ideas covered in the lesson, focusing on defining freedom, subjectivity, and their interconnections with moral and ethical issues. It’s vital to ensure that students recognize how these concepts are applicable in various contexts, illustrated through practical exercises like the debate, concept mapping, and film evaluation.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was designed to weave together theory and practice cohesively. Through hands-on activities, students could apply previously discussed philosophical concepts to both real and hypothetical situations, fostering a more profound and engaged understanding. This method not only solidifies learning but also shows the everyday relevance of philosophy in developing thoughtful and discerning citizens.

Closing

Lastly, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of the themes discussed around freedom and subjectivity. Grasping these concepts not only bolsters students’ critical thinking and argumentation skills but also equips them to make informed and ethical choices in their personal and professional lives. Ongoing contemplation of these themes is vital for cultivating a fairer and more socially conscious community.