Learning kit for secondary school students based on the artist Reyhaneh Mirjahani’s project A Discussion on Civic Participation.

This learning toolkit designed to generate questions and self-reflection around the ideas of socio-political participation, the role of the civilian, and responsibility in society.

A Discussion on Civic Participation originates from an ongoing, inquiry-based artistic project by Reyhaneh Mirjahani, called An Experiment on Agency which explores the notion of political agency in our contemporary context. An Experiment on Agency inquires into how artistic practice can lead viewers to question, discuss and understand the existence of agency within dilemmatic choices through creating a series of participatory installations. Furthermore, the inquiry aims to raise the following open question: If in some situations we lose agency, which systems are depriving us of it?

The learning kit consists of information about the artist Reyhaneh Mirjahani, a lesson plan, activity instructions, activity sheets and support materials on civic participation networks and tools.

Produced within the framework of Empowering Tools project and residency at Nida Art Colony (NAC) of Vilnius Academy of Art, 2022.

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LEARNING KIT:

LESSON PLAN

ACTIVITY INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION MAP

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

DISCUSSION SUPPORT MATERIAL NETWORK

DISCUSSION SUPPORT MATERIAL TOOLBOX

TEACHING MATERIALS

Subjects: Social science, history, social geography, civil (citizenship) education

Age group: Secondary school

Number of participants: 12–30

Duration: One day workshop (2–2.5 hours) or 3 lessons (40 minutes each)

What you will need: A projector, a printer, colourful pens or markers, a computer

Keywords: Social and political behaviour, trust, responsibility, agency, activism, participation, political agency

Learning outcomes:

To facilitate a discussion about social and political behaviours within a critical framework.

To investigate why the liberal idea of the individual is problematic and instead explore the intricate relationship between the individual, community, and the state.

To understand and explore the complexity of contemporary socio-political contexts, while discussing the ideas behind ethics and human rights.

NEXT STEP

Explore sociology through documentary films: https://politicalsociology.info/documentary-films/