Greek democracy was fundamentally different from the contemporary American concept of democracy; when Greeks said "rule by the people," they meant rule by the people. Of course the term "people" could be applied quite restrictively. Political participation in Athens, for example, was limited to male citizens over the age of eighteen. You have read two opposing points of view of Athenian government: on the one hand is Pericles's Funeral Oration, which outlines the virtues of Athens and Athenians. This ideology underlies Athenian democracy. On the other hand is Plato's criticism of democracy, a criticism that certainly played some role in the death of Socrates.
The Debate
You should take sides in this debate, using either Pericles or Plato to defend your position. Your position should be specifically a response to another student's position; your job is to answer that person's arguments. Therefore, there are three points of view to include in your assignment: Pericles's or Plato's, your own, and that of another student in the class. Finally, wrap up your assignment by applying your argument to your own society or government. Do Pericles's or Plato's arguments apply to our society? How? Your assignment should consist of 3-4 paragraphs.
Assessment
On this as on previous responses, you will be assessed on your thesis
and the supporting argument. Be sure that the thesis is clearly written and
expresses a clear opinion on the issue of democracy. The supporting
argument must be structured to include your own opinions, thoseof Pericles or Plato, and those of another student in the class. You should submit
your assignment
using The Speakeasy Café
at http://morrison.wsu.edu/studio/
