The Social Contract Lesson Plan

For this section, students should read the entirety of Book IV of On the Social Contract.

Common Core Objectives

1. 1

   -

2. 2

   -

Note that it is perfectly fine to expand any day’s work into two days depending on the characteristics of the class, particularly if the class will engage in all of the suggested classroom exercises and activities and discuss all of the thought questions.

Content Summary for Teachers

Book IV, Chapter I

In a society governed perfectly by the general will, Rousseau says, citizens will enjoy peace and equality in great measure, and few laws will need to be passed, because governance will not present a problem for the state. In the event that particular...