Pro-Democracy Teaching and Learning Repository

Societal Systems, Players and Relationships

Submitted By Corey Dehner, Associate Professor of Teaching, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Description

This in-class exercise pairs well with the Civic Identity homework assignment. In this exercise, students assume a specific role within a community (government agency, private industry, general public, media, not for profit organization, etc.) and analyze the likely outcome based on the power differentials, perspectives, and access to/trust in media. The scenario involves an energy contract in a fictitious town.  

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Topics

  • Democratic Governance, Constitutional Guardrails
  • Equitable Voice & Agency
  • Representation & Inclusion

Resource Type

  • Interactive Exercise or Project
  • Discussion Guide
  • Handout (with instructions)

Time Commitment

  • 1–2 Hours

Recommended or Required Reading

May be helpful to have students complete the civic identity exercise before facilitating this in-class discussion

Special Instructions

It is important to recognize the validity of all perspectives, from the importance of industry to elevating local voices. The most important thing to facilitate is individual thinking and discussion.

Additional Information

This activity was created with support from a 2024-25 Courses and Programs Teaching Innovation Grant from WPI's Morgan Teaching & Learning Center.