This term paper states that our society needs a major emphasis on the importance of teaching the political systems to the younger generation in order to make them mature human beings. After a theoretical background about teaching politics by intertwining two subjects and a special focus on group work, I explain the plan for an introductory lesson on the British political system in eleventh grade that is subject of this term paper in detail. Apparently, teaching politics is not self-evident as it was relatively complicated to find authentic material on the topic. Based on this, it is paramount to consider different ways of giving the students an understanding of the most fundamental part of our society - the political system. The possibilities to do so form one research question I follow when writing this paper.
Most politicians, the so-called experts on our democracy, are just regular people who gained political experience by entering a political party on one or another adventurous way. The question that arises here is how these people qualified themselves to lead our country. They did not study politics or economics. So basically, what they call qualification is just the will to participate in the state’s political life. From the moment on they enter this world of politics, they seem to exclude themselves from "normal" peoples' lifes. They decide on things they barely know anything about as if they were in some way superior. As George Burns said, when politicians would ask the society for suggestions or opinions, they would finally be able to control politics in a way that is truly in favor of the people.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Politicians - Political Gods or Regular People?
- Didactical Background
- Group Work
- Possible Difficulties
- Different Formats of Group Work
- Fächerübergreifender Unterricht
- Teaching Politics
- Group Work
- Lesson Plan
- Reference to the Curriculum
- Teaching/Learning Objectives
- Lesson Plan Version A
- Bedingungsfeld- and Sachanalyse
- Hinführung
- Erarbeitung
- Ergebnissicherung I
- Vertiefung
- Ergebnissicherung II
- Transfer
- Bedingungsfeld- and Sachanalyse
- Lesson Plan Version B
- Comment on Possible Problems
- Concluding Thoughts on Teaching the Political Systems
- References
- Register of Figures
- Appendix
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to highlight the importance of teaching political systems to younger generations, particularly focusing on the British political system as an example. The paper explores how teaching politics can be made more effective through intertwining different subjects and utilizing group work as a pedagogical tool.
- Importance of teaching political systems to young people
- Effective teaching strategies for politics, including subject integration and group work
- Specific lesson plan development for an introductory lesson on the British political system in eleventh grade
- Challenges and potential problems associated with teaching politics
- Recommendations for enriching the understanding of political systems
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: Politicians - Political Gods or Regular People? This introductory chapter sets the stage by exploring the common perception of politicians and questioning their qualifications to lead. It argues for the necessity of teaching political systems to young people to foster a sense of civic responsibility and engagement.
- Chapter 2: Didactical Background This chapter provides a theoretical framework for teaching politics, focusing on the importance of group work and interdisciplinary approaches. It examines the historical development of these pedagogical strategies and their relevance in contemporary education.
- Chapter 2.1: Group Work This section delves deeper into the concept of group work, discussing its various formats, potential difficulties, and benefits for student learning. It highlights the role of the teacher in facilitating effective group interaction and fostering collaborative learning.
- Chapter 3: Lesson Plan This chapter presents a detailed lesson plan for an introductory lesson on the British political system in eleventh grade. It outlines the teaching and learning objectives, aligns the lesson with the curriculum, and provides a step-by-step guide for implementation, including activities and resources.
- Chapter 4: Comment on Possible Problems This chapter addresses potential challenges that might arise during the implementation of the lesson plan, offering suggestions for addressing these challenges and mitigating their impact on student learning.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper centers on the teaching of political systems with a specific focus on the British political system. Key terms and concepts include: political literacy, civic education, interdisciplinary teaching, group work, lesson plan development, and the application of pedagogical theories in practice. The paper investigates how these elements contribute to fostering a comprehensive understanding of political systems in young people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of this lesson plan on the British political system?
The goal is to provide an introductory lesson for 11th-grade students to help them understand the fundamental parts of the UK political system and foster civic responsibility.
Which pedagogical strategies are emphasized in the paper?
The paper focuses on interdisciplinary teaching (fächerübergreifender Unterricht) and the use of group work to make political education more engaging and effective.
What are the potential challenges in teaching politics according to the author?
Challenges include finding authentic materials and addressing the perception of politicians as "regular people" versus "political gods" without specific professional qualifications.
How is the lesson plan structured?
It includes two versions (A and B) and follows a sequence of introduction, elaboration, consolidation, deepening, and transfer, aligned with the school curriculum.
Why does the author believe political literacy is important for the younger generation?
Political education is seen as essential for developing mature, engaged human beings who understand and can participate in the state's political life.
- Quote paper
- Johanna Gruber (Author), 2019, The Political System of the United Kingdom. A Lesson Plan for the 11th Grade, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/505428
