Utopia/Dystopia: Concept Review and Application. Dystopian versus Utopian Utopian refers to human...

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Utopia/Dystopia: Utopia/Dystopia: Concept Review and Concept Review and Application Application

Transcript of Utopia/Dystopia: Concept Review and Application. Dystopian versus Utopian Utopian refers to human...

Page 1: Utopia/Dystopia: Concept Review and Application. Dystopian versus Utopian Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society.

Utopia/Dystopia: Utopia/Dystopia: Concept Review and ApplicationConcept Review and Application

Page 2: Utopia/Dystopia: Concept Review and Application. Dystopian versus Utopian Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society.

Dystopian versus UtopianDystopian versus Utopian• UtopianUtopian refers to human efforts to create a refers to human efforts to create a

hypothetically perfect society.hypothetically perfect society.

• It refers to good but impossible proposals - It refers to good but impossible proposals - or at least ones that are difficult to carry or at least ones that are difficult to carry out.out.

• DystopianDystopian is the opposite of utopian; it is is the opposite of utopian; it is often a utopia gone sour, an imaginary often a utopia gone sour, an imaginary place or state where everything is as bad place or state where everything is as bad as it could be.as it could be.

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Dystopian NovelsDystopian Novels• Dystopian novels usually include elements Dystopian novels usually include elements

of contemporary society and are seen as a of contemporary society and are seen as a warning against some modern trend. warning against some modern trend.

• Writers use them as cautionary tales, in Writers use them as cautionary tales, in which humankind is put into a society that which humankind is put into a society that may look inviting on the surface but in may look inviting on the surface but in reality, is a nightmare.reality, is a nightmare.

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Examples of Dystopian Examples of Dystopian Novels and FilmsNovels and Films• 19841984

• Brave New WorldBrave New World

• Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451

• A Clockwork OrangeA Clockwork Orange

• Animal FarmAnimal Farm

• The GiverThe Giver

• The Time MachineThe Time Machine

• ANDAND ANTHEM! ANTHEM!

• District 9District 9• The IslandThe Island• GattacaGattaca• The MatrixThe Matrix• IdiocracyIdiocracy• V is for VendettaV is for Vendetta• I, RobotI, Robot• TerminatorTerminator• The Truman ShowThe Truman Show

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AnthemAnthem

• AnthemAnthem by Ayn Rand by Ayn Rand – The setting is the future world The setting is the future world

after the destruction of technology after the destruction of technology and the individual, where the and the individual, where the concept of “we” rules and the head concept of “we” rules and the head of state is the World Council. of state is the World Council.

– The hero’s longing for truth and The hero’s longing for truth and individuality leads him to secretly individuality leads him to secretly rebel against the government. rebel against the government.

– He is arrested by the “Council of He is arrested by the “Council of the Home” who torture him in the the Home” who torture him in the name of collectivism.name of collectivism.

– The hero escapes his society to The hero escapes his society to form a new world of technological form a new world of technological progress and celebration of the progress and celebration of the individual.individual.

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Relation to the Real WorldRelation to the Real World• AnthemAnthem serves as a serves as a

cautionary tale against cautionary tale against communism/collectivismcommunism/collectivism

• Collectivism is any moral, Collectivism is any moral, political, or social outlook, political, or social outlook, that emphasizes the that emphasizes the interdependence of every interdependence of every human in some collective human in some collective group and the priority of group and the priority of group goals over individual group goals over individual goals. goals.

• Collectivists focus on Collectivists focus on community and society, and community and society, and seek to give priority to group seek to give priority to group rights over individual rights. rights over individual rights.

In many ways, this reflects Rand’s feelings about the rise of socialism/communism in the time before and after WWII.

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everyone everyone equal, thinks equal, thinks the same the same wayway

force, spying, force, spying, secret policesecret police

evils of evils of totalitarianistotalitarianismm

no war or no war or poverty, only poverty, only happinesshappiness

change what change what people wantpeople want

sacrificing sacrificing culture for culture for “happiness”“happiness”

absence of absence of things things disrup-tive to disrup-tive to societysociety

book book burnings, no burnings, no personal personal expressionexpression

consequenceconsequences of fast-s of fast-pacedpaced

societysociety

absence of absence of things things disrup-tive to disrup-tive to societysociety

government government control of control of feelings, jobsfeelings, jobs

sacrificing sacrificing “humanity” “humanity” for for conformityconformity

1984

Brave New World

Fahrenheit 451

The Giver

Goals Methods Used Theme

Other Dystopian LiteratureOther Dystopian Literature

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Examples of Real Life Examples of Real Life Utopian SocietiesUtopian Societies

• ReligiousReligious

• CommunisticCommunistic

• AgriculturalAgricultural

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Religious UtopiasReligious Utopias• Freedom of religion attracted European groups Freedom of religion attracted European groups

to America who were persecuted in their own to America who were persecuted in their own countries. countries.

• Some colonists hoped to form Utopian Some colonists hoped to form Utopian societies, self-containing religious societies, self-containing religious communities, removed from the perceived communities, removed from the perceived “vices” found in overcrowded cities. “vices” found in overcrowded cities.

• In these utopian societies, all aspects of In these utopian societies, all aspects of people's lives were governed by their faith.people's lives were governed by their faith.

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Religious UtopiasReligious Utopias

• ExampleExample: the Shakers – a religious group who : the Shakers – a religious group who fled to the United States in 1774 to escape fled to the United States in 1774 to escape persecution. They formed a tight knit community, persecution. They formed a tight knit community, which required celibacy (no sexual relations) and which required celibacy (no sexual relations) and the separation of men and women in daily life. the separation of men and women in daily life.

Their religious expression included productive labor, peace, the equality of the sexes, and a ritual noted for its dancing and shaking.

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Communistic UtopiasCommunistic Utopias• The Soviet Union represented The Soviet Union represented

the creation of a political utopia the creation of a political utopia on a larger scale than had ever on a larger scale than had ever been attempted before. been attempted before.

• Communism was seen as the Communism was seen as the creation of a working society in creation of a working society in which all give according to their which all give according to their means and take according to means and take according to their needs. This aspect their needs. This aspect promised the future freedom of promised the future freedom of all people in a world free of all people in a world free of oppression and inequality.oppression and inequality.

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Communistic UtopiasCommunistic Utopias• By the end of the 1920s, the By the end of the 1920s, the

disadvantages of Soviet disadvantages of Soviet Communism were evident. Communism were evident.

• After taking power, Joseph After taking power, Joseph Stalin forced peasants to work Stalin forced peasants to work on the land, forced intellectuals on the land, forced intellectuals into prison camps, burned into prison camps, burned books, and contributed to the books, and contributed to the death of millions.death of millions.

• He used mass media to create He used mass media to create a godlike image of himself, and a godlike image of himself, and any opponents were executed any opponents were executed or deported. or deported.

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Agricultural UtopiasAgricultural Utopias• In the 1960s, thousands In the 1960s, thousands

of people formed of people formed communes in Europe communes in Europe and the U.S. in an and the U.S. in an attempt to redefine the attempt to redefine the institutions of marriage, institutions of marriage, family and economy.family and economy.

• People headed "back to People headed "back to the land“, questioning the land“, questioning the benefits of a society the benefits of a society based on technology based on technology and competition.and competition.

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Agricultural UtopiasAgricultural Utopias

• While most of those While most of those communities disbanded, communities disbanded, many have survived, many have survived, emphasizing economic and emphasizing economic and social cooperation. social cooperation.

• Some communities are Some communities are separate from the rest of separate from the rest of society while others hope society while others hope to serve as an example of a to serve as an example of a better lifestyle to the rest better lifestyle to the rest of the world. of the world.

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What Will Your World Be What Will Your World Be Like?Like?

• Think about what worked—and what failed—in Think about what worked—and what failed—in the utopian texts you’ve read. How were good the utopian texts you’ve read. How were good ideas turned ugly in practice? What balance does ideas turned ugly in practice? What balance does there need to be between control and choice, there need to be between control and choice, between the greater good and what individuals between the greater good and what individuals want? What will people tolerate?want? What will people tolerate?

• How will you form a utopia? What is the biggest How will you form a utopia? What is the biggest issue that must be addressed to “fix” society?issue that must be addressed to “fix” society?

• What may have to be “sacrificed” in order to What may have to be “sacrificed” in order to create this society?create this society?

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The ProjectThe Project• You will demonstrate your understanding of the You will demonstrate your understanding of the

concept of a utopian society and the issues that concept of a utopian society and the issues that must be considered when trying to make a “perfect must be considered when trying to make a “perfect world” by world” by writing andwriting and designing designing the utopia of the utopia of your dreams and your dreams and proving proving to your classmates that to your classmates that it’s the best place to live. it’s the best place to live. While all options for this While all options for this group project involve individuals writing parts of a group project involve individuals writing parts of a plan for your society, the advertisement project plan for your society, the advertisement project ideas are endless—Blog/Website, Brochure, ideas are endless—Blog/Website, Brochure, PowerPoint Presentation, Video PowerPoint Presentation, Video Advertisement/Infomercial (script), Promotional Advertisement/Infomercial (script), Promotional Letter, Poster, etc.  Letter, Poster, etc.  What do you want to do?  Tell What do you want to do?  Tell me and I’ll tell you if it’s appropriate. me and I’ll tell you if it’s appropriate. 

• In order to meet all the criteria of this assignment, In order to meet all the criteria of this assignment, you must include all of the contents listed in you must include all of the contents listed in the categories to followthe categories to follow. .  You can incorporate You can incorporate them into your project any way you want as long as them into your project any way you want as long as you meet the requirements. you meet the requirements. Check the rubricsCheck the rubrics for for additional details on the expectations for the project. additional details on the expectations for the project.

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You Must Decide…You Must Decide…

• Write a Write a Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence or or Purpose: What will you be about?Purpose: What will you be about?

• Describe the Describe the GovernmentGovernment, Laws, and , Laws, and Economic/Social Structures: How will life Economic/Social Structures: How will life be structured?be structured?

• Explain your Explain your Motto and FlagMotto and Flag: How will you : How will you represent your ideas?represent your ideas?

• And of course…Name it and Advertise: And of course…Name it and Advertise: How will you promote your vision?How will you promote your vision?

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Declaration of Declaration of Independence/PurposeIndependence/Purpose • Write a statement (2+ paragraphs) describing the Write a statement (2+ paragraphs) describing the

reasons for your formation of a utopian society.reasons for your formation of a utopian society. In In other words, what specifically don’t you like about other words, what specifically don’t you like about current society? How has the current society broken trust current society? How has the current society broken trust with you? Why do you feel the need to form a “more with you? Why do you feel the need to form a “more perfect” society? How will your utopia deal with and/or perfect” society? How will your utopia deal with and/or eliminate the problems of society today? You might refer eliminate the problems of society today? You might refer to the U.S. Declaration of Independence for ideas and to the U.S. Declaration of Independence for ideas and consider the following issues:consider the following issues:

• Poverty, HungerPoverty, Hunger• Education, UnemploymentEducation, Unemployment• War, Crime/ViolenceWar, Crime/Violence• Prejudice/Discrimination, Civil RightsPrejudice/Discrimination, Civil Rights• EnvironmentEnvironment• Marriage/FamilyMarriage/Family• Health/SicknessHealth/Sickness• Treatment of youth & the elderlyTreatment of youth & the elderly

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The Political, Economic, and Social The Political, Economic, and Social StructuresStructures• Include an explanation of how life carries on in Include an explanation of how life carries on in

your society. In a few paragraphs, be sure to your society. In a few paragraphs, be sure to explain:explain:

• Governing Body- Governing Body- Explain how your utopia will be run: How will the government of this utopia be Explain how your utopia will be run: How will the government of this utopia be

structured? Will you have a democracy, an anarchy, a monarchy, or a structured? Will you have a democracy, an anarchy, a monarchy, or a dictatorship? How will your utopia make decisions (big ones and everyday dictatorship? How will your utopia make decisions (big ones and everyday rulings)? Who will have a say? How will the people be informed or involved?rulings)? Who will have a say? How will the people be informed or involved?

• The Rules/RegulationsThe Rules/Regulations- - Develop a list of at least 10 laws or codes that all community members must follow.  Develop a list of at least 10 laws or codes that all community members must follow. 

Provide a rationale (the reasons) for the rules. These can include, but are not Provide a rationale (the reasons) for the rules. These can include, but are not limited to the following prompts: limited to the following prompts: – What are the rules for responsible and moral behavior?What are the rules for responsible and moral behavior?– Will there be a system of punishment for those who commit crimes?  (You Will there be a system of punishment for those who commit crimes?  (You

may want to develop a list of crimes and corresponding punishments.)  may want to develop a list of crimes and corresponding punishments.)  – How will people be educated?  What will you teach?  How will people be educated?  What will you teach?  – How free will people be?  Free to think?  Free to hate?  Free to support any How free will people be?  Free to think?  Free to hate?  Free to support any

belief? belief? 

• Economic and SocialEconomic and Social LifeLife- - Provide information about how the people in your utopia live. What do the people of Provide information about how the people in your utopia live. What do the people of

your country do for a living?  How do they make money and spend money? Where your country do for a living?  How do they make money and spend money? Where do they live? How much connection do they have with each other? How do people do they live? How much connection do they have with each other? How do people get along with one another and contribute to society? What roles do media, get along with one another and contribute to society? What roles do media, religion, and cultural beliefs/practices play in everyday life?religion, and cultural beliefs/practices play in everyday life?

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Utopian Motto and Utopian Motto and Seal/FlagSeal/Flag • Create a slogan or motto that inhabitants of Create a slogan or motto that inhabitants of

your utopia will follow, and develop a utopian your utopia will follow, and develop a utopian seal or flag. (You may want to refer to our seal or flag. (You may want to refer to our own state flag and motto for ideas.)own state flag and motto for ideas.)

• Your seal/flag should include symbols Your seal/flag should include symbols (animals, plants, etc.) that represent the (animals, plants, etc.) that represent the ideals of your utopia. ideals of your utopia.

• Include a written explanation (2+ Include a written explanation (2+ paragraphs) of your chosen motto and paragraphs) of your chosen motto and seal/flag that reveals the meaning and seal/flag that reveals the meaning and significance of the motto and the significance of the motto and the colors/symbols you choose for your seal. colors/symbols you choose for your seal.

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Name and Advertise Your Name and Advertise Your Utopian SocietyUtopian Society • Choose a creative and appropriate name to represent Choose a creative and appropriate name to represent

your new society. (Be sure your advertisement your new society. (Be sure your advertisement explains your choice in a way that makes the reasons explains your choice in a way that makes the reasons for the name clear.) for the name clear.)

• Incorporating the ideas of your group (on purpose, Incorporating the ideas of your group (on purpose, government, everyday life, motto, etc.), develop an government, everyday life, motto, etc.), develop an advertisement for your community that explains how advertisement for your community that explains how awesome your society is and why it should be joined. awesome your society is and why it should be joined.

• This ad could take a variety of forms (Blog/Website, This ad could take a variety of forms (Blog/Website, Brochure, PowerPoint Presentation, Video Brochure, PowerPoint Presentation, Video Advertisement/Infomercial (script), Promotional Letter, Advertisement/Infomercial (script), Promotional Letter, Poster, etc.) but should include relevant images and Poster, etc.) but should include relevant images and incorporate the information above in a few original incorporate the information above in a few original paragraphs throughout the advertisement. paragraphs throughout the advertisement.

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Rubric: Individual Writing (100)

2/3/03

SKILL AREA Responses at the top level: Value

Meaning: the extent to which the writing exhibits sound understanding/ explanation of the writing task

convey an accurate and in-depth understanding of the topic, audience, and purpose for the writing task offer insightful and thorough explanation in support of the topic, incorporating evidence and conclusions reached from the texts read and research on the issues.

/25

Development: the extent to which ideas are elaborated

develop ideas clearly and fully, effectively integrating and elaborating on specific, relevant details

/25

Organization: the extent to which the writing establishes a clear thesis and maintains direction, focus, & coherence

skillfully establish and maintain consistent focus exhibit logical and coherent structure with claims, evidence and interpretations that convincingly support the main ideas make skillful use of transition words and phrases

/15

Language: the extent to which the writing reveals an awareness of audience and purpose through word choice and sentence variety

are stylistically sophisticated, using language that is precise and engaging, with a notable sense of voice and awareness of audience and purpose effectively incorporate a range of varied sentence patterns to reveal syntactic fluency

/15

Requirements & Conventions: the extent to which the writing exhibits conventions and meets reqs

demonstrate control of the conventions with essentially no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar meets the requirements of style and length

/20

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Rubric: Group Project Requirements (50)Items Details Value

Declaration of Independence

States reasons for formation of the new society and explains those reasons with detailed evidence. Language is appropriate for a formal statement.

/10

Utopian Motto and Seal/Flag

Provide a clear representation of the aspects of the society upon which the utopia is founded. Description clearly provides the rationale for the selection and makes strong connections to the beliefs upon which the society is founded. Language is clear, and images appropriate.

/10

Political, Economic, & Social Structures

Governing Body: Outlines the system of government that oversees the society. Rationales are clearly explained. Rules: Includes clear rules for appropriate behavior that are in line with the beliefs upon which the society is founded. Economic/Social Life: The manner in which people live is clearly explained. Activities and roles clearly align with the beliefs.

/10

Name & Advertisement

Uses a creative and appropriate name that captures the spirit of the new society. Presents life in the utopia in a clear (organized) message that engages potential citizens. The details in the ad clearly align with the beliefs upon which the society is founded. Persuades others to join the society, giving clear reasons why the utopia is appropriate for them. Uses casual, semi-formal language to engage readers and aesthetically pleasing images and design to set the desired tone.

/10

Team Work Group members work together to make decisions and accomplish goals, while individuals pull their weight by completing assigned tasks on time.

/10