Lesson Plan

Status:

I.       Culture

A.     Confucianism and Classical China compared to Hinduism and Classical India

1.      Performance Expectations c and d

II.    Learning Outcomes

A.     Students Will:

1.      Show how each religion contributed to the social structure of each civilization.

2.      Demonstrate a basic understanding of each religions principle concepts.

3.      Show how each religion affected the structure of each civilizations government

4.      Show how the religions allowed for differing opinions on what economic practices were respectable.

5.      Show how each religion shaped the beliefs and ideals of each culture and how this is relevant in looking at modern day India and China. 

III.   Evaluation

1.      Small group discussions w/ written notes of the discussion and then have each group summarize their discussion for the class

2.      Outline for each religion made up of religious principles (i.e. Deity, method of practice, place of worship, religious text…)

3.      Short essay as well as a class discussion

4.      Chart or table, as well as a discussion on why this was so (differences in economic practices) following the completion of the charts

5.      Quiz based on lecture and readings from primary sources

IV. Curriculum

A.     World History

1.      History of the Far East

B.     Sociology

1.      Religion and society

V.    Instruction

VI. Discussion Questions

1.      Religions contribution to social structure

a)      How did Hinduism support the Caste System in India?

b)     In what way(s) did Confucianism contribute to class divisions in China?

2.      Principle concepts of Hinduism and Confucianism

a)      What are the distinguishing characteristics of Confucianism?

b)     What are the distinguishing characteristics of Hinduism?

3.      Religion and government

a)      Summarize Confucius’s philosophy on who should rule.  How much of this philosophy became actuality based on what you’ve learned thus far?

b)     What made Hinduism such a huge obstacle in India developing a strong central government?

c)      Did the Caste System help to provide structure in Indian life that a strong government never could? If it did, how so?

4.      Religion and economics

a)      What type of economic activities did each civilization have in common?

b)     Which did they not have in common or at least treat differently?

c)      Can religion explain the differences in how each society viewed certain economic practices?

5.      The beliefs and ideals of these ancient civilizations and their ramifications today

a)      In looking at modern China, what, if anything, can you see in Chinese society that reflects the beliefs and practices of the Classical Era?

b)     In looking at modern India, what, if anything, can you see in Indian society that reflects the beliefs and practices of the Classical Era?