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Website
Other

Rousseau Association

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive resource with hyperlinks to music, writings, and biographical information on Rousseau.
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eBook
Other

The Great Books Foundation: The Natural Aristocracy

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A letter to John Adams from Thomas Jefferson dated October 28, 1813 that provides a mini-summary of Jefferson's philosophy toward democracy and the ability of Americans to govern themselves.
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Online Course
Yale University

Yale University: Open Yale Courses: Introduction to Political Philosophy

For Students 9th - 10th
Introductory university-level course in Western political thought and thinkers: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Tocqueville. Access the full course, in twenty four lectures, in either audio or video formats....
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Handout
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides a comprehensive survey of the life and philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. It discusses his writings as well as his ideas on moral and political philosophy.
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eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Philosophy

For Students 9th - 10th
Flexbooks 2.0 are interactive, customizable, digital textbooks. Flexbooks are standards-aligned. Flexi, a student tutor, is integrated into each book to guide you on your learning journey. Flexi can assist in learning, answer questions,...
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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: John Locke on Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Groningen provides the complete John Locke's "Second Treatise on Government." It discusses everything from slavery and property to civil government and its functions.
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Website
Boston University

Boston University: The Social Contract Tradition

For Students 9th - 10th
This site presents an abstract of the social contract tradition. It also contains a very detailed overview of the ideas of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Hannah Arendt Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of papers of the author, educator, and political philosopher Hannah Arendt.
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Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Two Treatisies on Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides selections from John Locke's "Two Treatisies on Government." It contains evaluations on the sections 'Of the State of Nature' and 'Of Political of Civil Society.'
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Primary
University of Chicago

The Founders' Constitution: Alexander Hamilton to James Duane

For Students 9th - 10th
The original text from the University of Chicago Press of a 1780 letter from Alexander Hamilton to James Duane, who later became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, on the weaknesses of the existing U.S. government under the...
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Justification for the State

For Students 9th - 10th
From Wikipedia, this article outlines the purpose of government and explains how disagreement over purpose can splinter into various movements such as socialism, fascism, and communism. Includes links to further explanations of different...
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Handout
Philosophy Pages

Philosophy Pages: History of Western Philosophers

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides a narrative survey of the history of Western philosophical thought. Provides a general description of different philosophical questions and how they were answered.
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Handout
Other

Bluepete: Biographies: Thomas Hobbes

For Students 9th - 10th
A great biography. Includes extensive quotes by Hobbes and by those who knew him. His works and philosophical ideas are detailed here.
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Website
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: David Hume

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Hume with notes on his major ideas and philosophy. Includes a timeline for quick reference.
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Website
Other

Inf Ed Encyclopedia: Jean Jaques Rousseau on Education

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive biography of Rousseau with lots of detail on his views on education, especially informal education.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Branches of Philosophy, Role in Contemporary Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the different branches of Philosophy and what their relevance is to today's world.
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Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Text Sets: Political Theory

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
As governments form and change over time, they look to political philosophers to answer important questions about governance. This text set covers some of the world's most influential political thinkers. This collection includes 10...
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Handout
Other

University of Virginia: Jefferson on Agriculture

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection from the University of Virginia provides quotes and information on Jefferson's writings about Agriculture.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Philosophically Correct

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Trace how philosophers throughout history have envisioned the ideal government. Explore ideas from Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, and more.
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Handout
Other

Biographies: Machiavelli (1469 1527)

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of the works and philosophical/political ideas of Machiavelli. Includes some dates and describes the times in which he lived.
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Website
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: Al Farabi,avincenna, Averroe

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an essay on the role of philosophy in Islam according to Al-Farabi, Avicenna, and Averroes, who are Islamic philosophers and writers from the Middle Ages.
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Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Enlightenment Philosophers and American Government

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] The lesson is designed to review the main thoughts and ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers and how their ideas contributed to the American governmental system.
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Handout
Robin Chew

Lucidcafe: Niccolo Machiavelli

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a biography of Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527 CE) and in-depth discussion of his political philosophies. The site contains links to related resources and books by or about Machiavelli.
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Handout
Robin Chew

Lucid Cafe: Jean Jacques Rousseau

For Students 9th - 10th
A good biography mostly on Rousseau's political philosophy of "The Social Contract"