### Lesson Plan: Power and Authority
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 1
**Subject:** Government
**Duration:** 90 minutes
**Topic:** Power and Authority
#### Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define power and authority.
2. Differentiate between power and authority.
3. Identify and explain the sources of power and authority.
4. Discuss the impact of power and authority on government and society.
#### Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and computer for presentation
- Printouts of a handout on power and authority
- Short video clip on power and authority (5-10 minutes)
- Case study scenarios
- Group activity worksheet
- Reference textbook
#### Lesson Structure:
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Greet the students and take attendance.
- Begin with a quick discussion question: "What do you think is the difference between power and authority in the context of government?"
- Write key responses on the whiteboard.
**2. Direct Instruction (15 minutes)**
- Provide definitions:
- **Power:** The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way; the ability to influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
- **Authority:** The legitimate or socially accepted use of power. It is power sanctioned by law, social norms, or other formal mechanisms.
- Discuss the distinctions between power and authority:
- Power can exist without authority, but authority cannot exist without power.
- Power may be gained through force, skill, knowledge, or inheritance, whereas authority is typically granted through established systems.
- Use the projector to display the key points and examples.
**3. Video Clip and Discussion (10 minutes)**
- Show a short video clip explaining power and authority (5-10 minutes).
- Facilitate a brief discussion about the video, asking students what they learned and if they have any questions or comments.
**4. Sources of Power and Authority (15 minutes)**
- Explain different sources of power:
- **Coercive Power:** Derived from the capacity to penalize or use force.
- **Reward Power:** Based on the ability to provide rewards.
- **Legitimate Power:** Comes from a recognized authority or position.
- **Referent Power:** Stemming from personality traits or relationships.
- **Expert Power:** Originates from skills or knowledge.
- Discuss sources of authority:
- Traditional (e.g., monarchy)
- Legal-rational (e.g., elected officials)
- Charismatic (e.g., influential leaders)
- Hand out printed materials summarizing these concepts.
**5. Group Activity (20 minutes)**
- Divide the class into small groups and give each group a case study scenario related to the use of power and authority.
- Ask each group to identify the type of power and authority used in their scenario and discuss its impact on government and society.
- Each group will present their findings to the class.
**6. Class Discussion (10 minutes)**
- Facilitate a class discussion on the presentations, emphasizing how power and authority affect governance.
- Ask students to provide examples from real-life or current events.
**7. Conclusion and Summary (10 minutes)**
- Summarize the key points of the lesson.
- Recap the differences between power and authority and their sources.
- Highlight the importance of understanding these concepts in the context of government function and societal impact.
**8. Assessment and Homework (10 minutes)**
- Distribute a short quiz to assess understanding of the lesson.
- Assign homework: Write a one-page essay discussing a recent event where the balance of power and authority was critical.
#### Evaluation:
- Assess student participation during discussions.
- Review group activity presentations for understanding and depth.
- Grade the quiz and written essay to ensure comprehension and application of concepts.
#### Reflection:
- After the lesson, reflect on what worked well and what could be improved.
- Adjust future lessons based on student feedback and performance.