1. Brainstorm ideas about Utopia and write down ALL responses
What words come to mind when you think about utopia? What are some examples of how this concept has been used?
What examples of utopia have been shown through art, literature, movies, etc.?
What changes may have taken place as man redefines the term utopia?
What things or places might be considered utopian
5 minutes on timer
Write as MUCH as you can.
Write as FAST as you can.
Write as WELL as you can.

2. Categorize The Ideas About UTOPIA ** Work in pairs for 15min to complete
How would you categorize these ideas into groups?
What would you call each group? Why?
Do all of the items fall into groups? Might some of them belong in more than one group?
Is there a different manner by which you might categorize your ideas? What other categories might you use?
What are some characteristics and commonalities of utopias based on what you wrote?

3. Utopia Throughout the Ages
Brainstorm a list of things that mankind throughout the ages might have
considered utopian. **Work in Collaborative Learning Groups (CLG) for 15-
20 min to brainstorm and respond to the following questions. Use large chart
paper to gather ideas.
What can you say about these things?
Can you group these items? What do you call each of these groups? Why?
What are some aspects of utopian visions that would change, depending on the time and place of the people imagining them? What is different about the aspects of utopia that would change and the aspects that remain the same?
Are the following characteristics of utopias- paradise, heaven, new worlds- perfection of some sort? Why or why not?

4. Antithesis of Utopia ~ Dystopia Brainstorm a list of things that would be the opposite or antithesis of utopia
What prevents your example from being utopian?
In what ways are the nonexamples different from the examples?
Did you classify them as nonexamples because of specific characteristics that they have or because of particular characteristics that they are missing, or both?

5. Make Generalizations About Utopias
A generalization is something that is always or almost always true. What are some generalizations that you can make about utopias? Use your examples and categories of things to guide your thinking about utopias. Write several statements which are generalizations about utopias?

6. 5 Core Set of Generalizations *Use throughout Utopia Unit
Man has been searching for or trying to create a utopian world in some way since time began. (Why has man sought to create utopia?)
Man corrupts his utopia after creating it or finding it. (What leads man to corrupt a utopia he has tried to create?)
Man strives to create his own personal and societal utopia. (Why are some utopias individual and some more community oriented? What separates or defines a personal versus a societal utopia?)
Dreams, memories, nature, emotions, and time help shape man’s ideas regarding utopia. (Are the dreams and aspirations changeable overtime? What commonalities exist regarding utopias across cultures or groups? What differences are there?)
Individuality can be lost in man’s quest for utopia. (Why does individuality erode through a utopia? Does this have to happen?)