Can Iraq Become a Democracy?
Process
Use the links below in the sequence described to help formulate your report to the president. Make sure to keep track of which web sites you use so you can find them again and give credit where credit is due in your final analysis (bibliography for your presentation).
1. Use the links below and the LMC resources found in our classroom to research the philosphical fundamentals of democracy as they were spelled out by the Ancient Greeks and the founders of the United States. Each person in your group needs to read the articles in the list below. As a group, discuss them and take notes on the "Summary" graphic organizer. These summaries of the important facts from each article will help your group form its report to the president.
A. Democracies took many forms in ancient Greek city-states. Learn about democracy in Ancient Greece and beyond here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/greekdemocracy_01.shtml
http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/greenwaldgreece10.html
http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture6b.htmlB. Pericles was the leader of Athens during its Golden Age. He is credited with making democracy work in Athens. Read more about his views of democracy and Athens here:
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/%7Edee/GREECE/PERICLES.HTM
C. Plato explained how a state might embody the four great virtues: courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice. Read more about his ideas for the ideal state here:
2. Research the cultural challenges presented by the current situation in Iraq. As a group, discuss the data below:
A. According to the CIA – here is a breakdown of Iraq by ethnicity, religion and language:
1. Etnicity: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%
2. Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
3. Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Roughly speaking, Iraq has three large separate groups, each located in a discrete area. The Kurds are in the north, the Shiites in the south, and the Sunnis in the middle. The Shiites appear to be the most populous group.
B. Now your group will learn about the makeup of Iraq today. Each person in your group needs to read a different article from the list below and then describe it to the entire group. Have a recorder write down the important facts from each article so you can use it to help form your report to the president.
1.Iraq Post Saddam
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/post_saddam_iraq/html/1.stm2.Ethnic Divisions
http://encarta.msn.com/guide_iraqdivisions/Iraq_Religious_and_Ethnic_Divisions.html
3.Iraq Population Background
http://www.usiraqprocon.org/iraqpopulation.html4. Sunni and Shi’ite Differences
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1.shtml
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/weekinreview/17cave.html?scp=4&sq=sunni%20shiite%20differences&st=cse
3. Develop an answer to our focus question, "Can Iraq become a democracy?" If you answer, "yes," explain how. If you answer, "no," explain why not, and present an thoughtful alternative course based on reason and research. Draft your answer using your notes from your discussions above. Make sure your answer has:
A. a clear answer to the focus question,
B. ample supporting details with reference to Greek philosophers and current readings on Iraq
C. a powerful conclusion with a clincher
4. Make a multimedia (Power Point, Appleworks, Keynote, etc.) presentation that explains your group's answers using details from your research to support your plan. Use pictures and text written in your own words to explain your group's determination. Make sure your presentation has a bibiliography to give credit where credit is due for information and images used .
5. Save your presentation frequently! When you are finished, copy it to Mr. Hilker's/Mr. Oppelt's flash drive for presentation to the class. Elect a spokesperson(s) who will practice and then explain your group's theory and multimedia presentation. Keep your presentations less than 5 minutes; stick to the topic and make sure your group's determination is convincing.
