1. FOCUS 01-23-14 How would you describe a utopian society?
What would it look like?
How would people act?
Would there be laws?
How would the utopian society handle the following things:
Education Medical issues
Careers Fashion Entertainment

2. Utopia vs. Dystopia CLASS NOTES

3. Utopia
Definition: An imagined place or state of things in which perfection has been achieved; an ideally perfect place, an impractical idealistic scheme
Origin: Sir Thomas More, 1516, Utopia Concept originally linked to religious ideals, but now also refers to socio-political ideals

4. Varieties of Utopia Ecological Utopia Economic Utopia Political Utopia
Religious Utopia
Science and Technology Utopia

5. Ecological Utopia
A traditional way of life that is more in harmony with nature.
An organic way of life

7. Economic Utopia
an equal distribution of goods, frequently with the total abolition of money, and citizens only doing work which they enjoy and which is for the common good, leaving them with ample time for the cultivation of the arts and sciences.

9. Political Utopia World Peace, Global Oneness
Everyone getting along regardless of race, culture, political beliefs.
A world without war.

11. Religious Utopia
Harmony
Peace
Understanding
Enlightenment

13. Science and Technology Utopia
Set in the future
Utopian Living Standards: absence of death and suffering, changes in human nature and the human condition (Star Trek)

15. Dystopia
An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror.
Origin: John Stuart Mill, 1868 speech in the House of Commons about Irish problem common theme in modern books and movies

16. Animal Farm
Think about Animal Farm. What qualities and characteristics of a dystopia were present in George Orwell’s novel? List as many as you can in your notebooks.
Be prepared to share and discuss your ideas with the class.

17. Varieties of Dystopia
Society
Social Groups
Nature
Politics
Economics

18. Society Examples: Class System
People referred to as numbers rather than names
People are cloned so there are several of the same people, they are uniform and lose individuality (Brave New World)
People required to “not excel” and lose their competence

20. Social Groups Examples: Concept of religion under attack
Concept of families no longer exists

22. Nature Examples: Settings of dystopias are frequently urban
Separate all characters from any contact with nature
People are conditioned to be afraid of nature

24. Politics Examples: Governing class is hedonistic or shallow
Negative consequences, oppressive
Pessimistic views of governing class – brutal, uncaring

26. Economics Examples: Black markets for goods that are difficult to get
Governing class controls everything
Big businesses have control and are corrupt

29. Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
Propaganda is used to control the citizens of a society
Information, independent thought , and freedom are restricted
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society
Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance

30. Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
Citizens have a fear of the outside world
Citizens live in a dehumanized state
The natural world is banished and distrusted
Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad
The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world

31. Utopia Vs. Dystopia Utopia Dystopia Society Equality of all people
Classes, caste system
View on future
Optimistic, upbeat
Pessimistic, downbeat
Form of government
Democracy
Regime
Education
Equal and advancing education
Propaganda
Economy
No money, equal distribution of goods
Rich and poor people, no middle class
Legislation
Fair system of punishment
Unfair and excessive punishment
Atmosphere
Happy, harmonic families
Unfortunate, unlucky people

32. EXIT
Could a utopian society ever truly exist? Why or Why not?
Have you ever seen a movie or read a book that was about a utopian/dystopian society?
Describe it.

33. Utopia / Dystopia
Complete the Chart for Ray Bradbury’s “The Pedestrian” and answer the questions on the back of the chart regarding setting.
On Monday, January 27 QUIZ ON “THE PEDESTRIAN” AND UTOPIA / DYSTOPIA CLASS NOTES