Too Late
Too Late to Apologize: The Declaration of Independence
Lesson Objectives
1] Deepen one's understanding of how the authors justified the content of their writings
2] Understand philosophical concepts and their applications to one's existence in our democracy
3] Apply these justifications to a modern law that affects all members of our society
Part I: Too Late to Apologize YouTube
Watch, listen, and enjoy the following YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg
and then try to answer the questions as best you can. If you want to view the lyrics as the song is sung, click on the red box with the white CC in it.
1] Who are the people in the video?
2] Who are the people in the video addressing?
3] Why should an apology have been given?
4] What events in American history does this video illustrate?
Confused? Hungry for more information? NO PROBLEM! Continue with the lesson...
Part II: OER Commons link with more details
Go to: http://www.oercommons.org/courses/printer-friendly-version-the-declaration-of-independence-a-transcription and print out the Declaration of Independence
Use it to follow along with this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETroXvRFoKY
5] Start with the first sentence of the second paragraph. In your opinion, whic is better: the first version (without the words with lines through them), the edited version, or the final (see below) version and why do you feel that way?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
6] How would you explain or define the following words from the above sentence to a ten year old child:
- truths
- self-evident
- unalienable
- Rights (or Right)
- Life
- Liberty
- pursuit
- Happiness
7] In your opinion, how are the following "truths" self-evident:
- all men are created equal
- all men are endowed with certain rights
8] According to the authors, how are these rights gotten and kept?
9] How does this thing (answer to #8) get its power?
10] What powers do people have if they believe that their government is destroying, or has destroyed, their inalienable rights?
Not bad, ten questions on only one sentence! Watch and listen to some famous people read the entire document (you can click on the red box with the white CC in it to see the words as they are read) by going to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETroXvRFoKY&feature=related
Part III: Deep Thoughts
1] The first word of this part of the Declaration of Independence is 'We'. Are you part of this 'we', do you agree with the principles and ideals stated in the declaration, and would you sign this document if you could? Explain your answers in detail.
2] Currently, the Federal Minimum Wage is $7.25 per hour for most wage earners. To view the history of this law (when first created the minimum wage was $0.25 per hour...yes indeed, a mere quarter/hour) go to: http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/chart.htm
State reasons why this law might be a violation of the part of the Declaration of Independence studied and state reasons why this law might be an example of our federal government applying the concepts studied. Finally, state your opinion regarding the Declaration and this specific law and dtetail why you feel that way. This should be a four paragraph essay: a paragraph introducing the topic with a thesis statement, a paragraph detailing the reasons why it can be viewed as supporting the ideals of the Declaration, a paragraph explaining the reasons why it can be interpreted as conflicting with the ideals of the Declaration, and a concluding paragraph.