Enlightenment Talk Show – Airing Live on 11/12 & 11/13
Learning Target: To understand the philosophies about government and human nature from the Age of
Enlightenment.
We will hold an Enlightenment talk show, in which philosophers, politicians, and rulers from the 18th century will
present and discuss the issues of the day. Each partnership will need to present the answers to preassigned
questions in front of the class. Together, you and your partner will complete research, create a nameplate, and
prepare answers to the provided questions in order to explain your philosopher’s ideas to the class and engage in
discussion with fellow philosophers. Each person is responsible for all content knowledge.
Tasks to Complete
1. Read Biographical Briefing and Answer Provided Questions
2. Roles- Each partnership will assign a member to each of the following roles:
 Actor: Responsible for being the face/voice of your character. Will present information in front of
the class. Extrovert.
 Handler/Questioner: Responsible for supporting actor. This person will also ask direct questions
of other actors during the talk show. This person will need to know something about other
characters in order to be successful.
3. Big Questions – Each group member will need their own copy of answers to the following questions.
 What relevant life experiences such as family relationships, education and/or jobs helped to influence
your views on human nature, the best form of government, or the laws and rights a just government
should include?
 What is your view of human nature? Can people be trusted to participate in governing and decision
making? Why or why not? Who should have power in society? Why?
 What is the best way to organize a government or society? What are the structures and laws that
should be included in a good government? Why?
 Are there rights that all citizens should possess? If so, what are they? If not, why not?
4. Presentation
 On the days of the Enlightenment Talk Show you will need to present informed and articulate answers
to provided questions. Speakers will also need to listen to the other philosophers, engage in a free-flowing
discussion and be prepared to answer spontaneous questions asked by the other characters (see #5
below).
5. Questions
 Each group will need to ask questions of other groups. Prepare more than one in case your question is
asked by another group. Questions should be thoughtful, original and highlight your philosopher’s
disagreements or agreements with other philosophers.
STARRING:
Voltaire
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Peter the Great
Louis XIV
John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
Mary Wollstonecraft
Baron de Montesquieu
Frederick the Great
Catherine the Great
Enlightenment Talk Show News Breaks and PSAs
Learning Target: To identify and explain important events and ideas that took place during the Age of
Enlightenment.
Your partnership will be assigned an event or topic. Your job is to create and present a short newscast or public
service announcement explaining the topic and its importance during the Age of Enlightenment.
Tasks to Complete
1. Research your event or idea.
2. Answer the provided content questions. Each person should have their own copy of the questions.
a. What are the relevant historical facts related to your event/idea? Include the important thinkers,
what they wrote, nations involved in the conflict, the outcome. In other words, know your topic
well enough to teach it to the class.
b. Why is your topic significant? How does it reflect Enlightenment thought or how does it impact
power and relationships in Europe or its colonies?
c. Consider what the Enlightenment Talk Show philosophers would think about your event. Are their
relationships between your topic and the presenters?
3. Write a script to be turned in. Your presentations should be engaging and creative as well as
demonstrating content knowledge.
Topics: Coffee houses (the reading revolution, censorship and illegal book trade), Religion (Deism, Skepticism,
Atheism), Criminal Justice (prison reform, the death penalty, Beccaria), Salon Culture, D’Alembert & Diderot’s
Encyclopedia, Seven Years’ War/War of Austrian Succession, Partitions of Poland.
Content Knowledge
Written Materials
Presentation Skills
Excellent
Standard
Below
Group presents a strong
understanding of the topic.
Speakers are fully prepared.
Written materials show a
depth of understanding of the
topic. Written materials are
thorough and detailed.
Consistent eye contact,
speaker is audible and clear,
fluent, little/no hesitation or
fillers. Answers to questions
are explained, not simply read.
Group presents a surface
level understanding of the
topic.
Written materials are
accurate, but may lack detail.
Group presents a weak
understanding of the topic.
Probing Question*
(Doesn’t apply to
PSAs or News
Breaks)
Each group asks one
thoughtful and original
challenging question of
another group. This question
leads to thoughtful discussion.
Creativity
Presenters go the extra mile to
produce a creative and
engaging presentation. Use of
props or costumes enhances
presentation.
Eye contact limited to a few
members of audience,
consistently
understandable/audible, few
hesitations or fillers. May
refer to paper, but still able
to explain answers.
The group asks an original
question challenging
question of another group.
Presentation is mainly about
the facts. Content is solid but
creativity limited.
Written materials are rushed
or incomplete. Materials show
little understanding or
preparation.
Eye contact limited, reading
from notes, numerous
distracting verbal pauses,
hard to hear or understand.
Speaker’s voice trails off,
mumbles, or too quiet.
The group does not ask a
question of another group, or
repeats a question, or asks a
question that requires a
simple “yes or no” answer.
Presentation is dull. Seems to
be put together at the last
second with no foresight.