What is Power?
Humanities EditionHave your students view examples and samples of power in this slide deck. Using those examples, complete an SEEI Protocol as detailed below.
State
State the idea clearly
(Power is…)
Elaborate
Elaborate on the idea
(In other words, power is…)
Exemplify
Provide examples of power
(An example of power is…)
Illustrate
Use a metaphor or image
(Power is like…)
Now that you’ve defined power, what concepts does it interact with and what are some contexts you can explore?
Secondary Contexts

The Power Paradox
Other Concepts: Class, Status, Control, Influence
Conceptual Questions:
How do class, status, control, and power affect personal relationships?
How does influence impact how much power you have?

Athenian Democracy
Other Concepts: Democracy, Representation, Government, Law
Conceptual Questions:
How does representation affect the power of a government?
How do laws impact who does and does not have power in a Democracy?

Poverty & Education
Other Concepts: Access, Poverty, Education, Privilege, Opportunity
Conceptual Questions:
How does one’s access to education grant them power?
How can poverty limit one’s opportunities for power?

The Six Sources of Civic Power
Other Concepts: Ideas, Force, Social norms, State Action, Wealth, Citizenship
Conceptual Questions:
How do ideas about wealth shape social norms and grant power?
How can wealth give someone the power to wield force and impact state action?

Harrison Bergeron
Other Concepts: Identity, Freedom, Individuality, Connection, Equity
Conceptual Questions:
How does our freedom shape our ability to pursue individual power?
How can a government’s desire for power over it’s constituents lead to a loss of connection and individuality?

Letter From A Birmingham Jail
Other Concepts: Identity, Freedom, Race, Injustice, Equity, Oppression
Conceptual Questions:
How does one’s identity open or restrict their access to power?
What’s the relationship between race, oppression, and power?

Crash Course: The French Revolution
Other Concepts: Chaos, Order, Class, Status, Nobility, Democracy
Conceptual Questions:
How can chaos influence one’s ability to gain access to power?
What’s the relationship between order, democracy, and power?

Lord of the Flies
Other Concepts: Chaos, Order, Good, Evil, Civilized, Primal, Social Norms, Environment
Conceptual Questions:
What’s the relationship between chaos and order?
How does environment shape social norms?