Untitled Page

The Ethical Revolution: Civics and Virtue in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. by Frank Casale, Ph.D. Core Values Core Values to be Emphasized: Citizenship Pursuit of Excellence Cooperation The core values are reflected in the module in the following ways: CITIZENSHIP: Issues and discussions of citizenship will be a part of the entire module process. The role of the citizen in the founding of a community and the responsibilities a citizen has towards his/her community (and vice versa) should be central themes in talking about, and reflecting upon, The Autobiography. The concept of citizenship is also included in each classroom activity and assessment activity. Students will have to think about the place they hold in a group, and how ethics contributes to making that group work. THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE will be discussed in two areas. The first is the character Franklin presents of himself in the text. In The Autobiography Franklin presents his rise in the world, and how he uses techniques of self improvement. Students can track Franklin's progress through the reading, noting the errors he makes and the solutions he proposes. Note that he makes sure that his self improvement is ethical in nature. The pursuit of excellence is also a major component of the assessment and classroom activities designed around Chapter Two. COOPERATION will be a seen as central theme when reading The Autobiography. As Franklin progresses through the text, he learns that to survive as a commoner in the 18th century, it is critical to build networks with other ethical and educated people. Likewise, as Franklin details the growth of Philadelphia, it is from the point of view of a community ethically cooperating to make life better for all. This theme is present in all activities, but is most prevalent in the "good society debate" activity.

The Ethical Revolution: Civics and Virtue in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

by Frank Casale, Ph.D.

Core Values

Core Values to be Emphasized:

Citizenship
Pursuit of Excellence
Cooperation

The core values are reflected in the module in the following ways:

CITIZENSHIP: Issues and discussions of citizenship will be a part of the entire module process. The role of the citizen in the founding of a community and the responsibilities a citizen has towards his/her community (and vice versa) should be central themes in talking about, and reflecting upon, The Autobiography. The concept of citizenship is also included in each classroom activity and assessment activity. Students will have to think about the place they hold in a group, and how ethics contributes to making that group work.

THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE will be discussed in two areas. The first is the character Franklin presents of himself in the text. In The Autobiography Franklin presents his rise in the world, and how he uses techniques of self improvement. Students can track Franklin's progress through the reading, noting the errors he makes and the solutions he proposes. Note that he makes sure that his self improvement is ethical in nature. The pursuit of excellence is also a major component of the assessment and classroom activities designed around Chapter Two.

COOPERATION will be a seen as central theme when reading The Autobiography. As Franklin progresses through the text, he learns that to survive as a commoner in the 18th century, it is critical to build networks with other ethical and educated people. Likewise, as Franklin details the growth of Philadelphia, it is from the point of view of a community ethically cooperating to make life better for all. This theme is present in all activities, but is most prevalent in the "good society debate" activity.