Philosophy of Law and Government
*This course is intended for upper elementary+ students, ages 11-13.
Class Schedule
Saturdays 9:00-10:00 am PST
September 12, September 19, September 26, October 3, October 10,
October 17, October 24, (no class October 31), November 7, November 14,
November 21, (no class November 28), December 5, December 12
Note: Classes are listed in PST, click below to convert time to your time zone.
Course Overview
As long as human beings have lived together in groups, they have attempted many ways to rule themselves and provide for the welfare, safety, fairness, and happiness of its members. We live in a time when many systems of government are in a state of flux, so first understanding how and why they operate is essential before consideration of the philosophies behind them.
This class will be divided into three parts:
Part 1 - The four main types of governments today (and their many variations), with details on how the American system is designed to work;
Part 2 - Philosophical discussion of the various types of government, specific laws, purposes, schools of ethical decision making, and aspects to be considered (institutions, community, society, human nature, freedom, justice, etc.);
Part 3 - Government design: attempting to plan a realistic (as opposed to utopian) government and set of laws.
Student Experience
Debater
Global Citizen
Changemaker
Your Teacher: Matt Berman
- M.A.T. in Philosophy for Children, Montclair State University
- B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education K-8 University of Connecticut
- Gifted Certification, University of New Orleans
- Over 50 years in education
Recipient of the NEH Teacher-Scholar Award, Matt Berman has been an elementary school teacher for more than 50 years, with certification in gifted education and degrees in education and philosophy for children. A nationally recognized expert in children's literature, Matt has written four books on the subject, and his reviews, articles, and columns have appeared in many journals, including Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He has also taught children's literature at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, and his reviews have appeared on numerous websites, including Common Sense Media, Disney Family, Family.com, iVillage, and the Child Lit Wiki. Matt has also been a consultant with the Joseph Campbell Foundation, as well as a freelance writer and editor, website developer, teacher trainer and consultant, photographer, communications director, and founding director of the Nueva Center for the Humanities.
