Pursuit of Happiness
Is the pursuit of happiness better protected by a government of laws or by civic virtue?
In this lesson, students will investigate how Americans conceptualized the ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ at various points in history and how this relates to government action and their own individual civic virtue. Students watch a short video, examine excerpts from primary sources, and reflect on their own understanding of happiness through debate, dialogue, and writing. By the end of the lesson, students will evaluate whether it is more important to have a government of laws or a culture of individual civic virtue in order to promote the “pursuit of happiness.”
Objectives:
- Students will be able to explain various interpretations of the Declaration of Independence’s ‘Pursuit of Happiness.’
- Students will analyze primary source quotes.
- Students will synthesize multiple perspectives.
- Students will write a claim and support it with evidence from primary sources.
- Students will evaluate the role of the government and the individual in fulfilling the Declaration of Independence’s promise of the “pursuit of happiness.”
- Students will practice civil discourse through debate and dialogue.
Assessment:
Students will complete the graphic organizer worksheet.
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