Lesson plan based on Amphora

Hold a sumposium during which students debate the benefits of democracy in ancient Greece and the United States.

Skills and Focus: Discussion, Reading, Hands-on, Cultural Comparisons

Subject Area: Social Science

Thematic Connection: Comparing Cultures

Grade Level: Secondary School

Time Needed: 60 minutes

Objectives

• Understand the role of symposia in ancient Greek culture and politics.

Instructional Materials Needed

Story: Symposia: Ancient Greek Drinking Parties

Selections from Plato’s essay The Symposium.

Activity

Remind students that in ancient Greece, men of culture, philosophers, and scholars held scholarly discussions at drinking parties called symposia. At such gatherings friendships, political alliances, and philosophical ideas were born and nurtured.

Turn your class into an abbreviated, contemporary symposium. Assign students the topic: "The Benefits of Democracy in Ancient Greece and the United States." Have students create a dialogue in which the benefits of democracy in both cultures are outlined, discussed, and compared. Direct the students' discussions by having them consider:

• the role of education

• the freedoms enjoyed

• balance of powers in government

• the role of leaders

• the image of leaders

Goals

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 16: Understand and analyze events, trends, individuals, and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States, and other nations.

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