Analysing 'The Social Contract' by Rousseau
I can analyse Rousseau's idea of the social contract and how it relates to freedom and the general will.
Analysing 'The Social Contract' by Rousseau
I can analyse Rousseau's idea of the social contract and how it relates to freedom and the general will.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Rousseau's main work was called 'The Social Contract.
- This sets out his beliefs about human goodness and how society should be run.
- He argues that people are free when governed by their own laws, serving the interest of the greater good.
- Rousseau believed in elected officials carrying out the will of the people.
- We can use critical thinking to analyse Rousseau’s idea of a social contract.
Keywords
Elected officials - according to Rousseau, individuals chosen by the people to implement the general will
The general will - the collective will of the people, focused on what is best for society as a whole, and not individual desires
'The Social Contract' - Rousseau's 1762 book and idea that individuals must give up some freedoms to form a just society, with laws reflecting the common good
Common misconception
Rousseau’s social contract is an actual written agreement signed by people.
The social contract is a philosophical concept, not a real document, representing an idea about how societies are formed and governed.
To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Analysing 'The Social Contract' by Rousseau, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Analysing 'The Social Contract' by Rousseau, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Religion and politics in the Enlightenment: How were they aligned? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a set of attitudes, beliefs and practices
the scientific study of the mind and behaviour
the study of questions about existence, knowledge, and values
how someone acts, the things they do
an acceptance that something is true without having to have proof
being part of something bigger than yourself
Exit quiz
5 Questions
individuals chosen by the people to implement the general will
the collective will of the people, focused on what is best for society
the idea that people must give up some freedoms for a just society