The student has been shipwrecked on a deserted island with 100 classmates. They must work together to survive by building shelters, gathering food, and establishing routines. However, trouble arises as some students refuse to help and factions begin competing for resources. To prevent disaster, the student realizes they need to create a government to establish order and common purpose.

1. Imagine that you have been marooned on a desert island in the ocean. You are in a position to create a society from scratch. A Utopia!

2. A utopia is defined as an ideal place or state or any visionary system of political or social perfection. Who wouldn’t want to live in a Utopia? It is a perfect place where there are no worries whatsoever. Create the Utopia of your dreams and convince me it’s the best place to live. Prove to me that you understand the general notion behind a utopian society!

3. You will make a wiki for your Utopia Ultimately you will create a wiki for your utopia. Your page will include all of the components to follow. Its purpose will be to attract and inform potential inhabitants. It should look like an online brochure for your utopia. Therefore, it should be thoughtfully designed and artfully laid out. You will use Google Docs to collaborate with your group. Your presentation must be 4- 7 minutes long.

4. You must form a culture that is free from the troubles of the current society. You must first identify what you believe to be wrong with the world today; then you must attempt to correct those problems. What is wrong with society today? How would you solve these problems?

5. As the smoke clears you take stock of the situation. Your plane has crash-landed. Just a few minutes before the crash, you and 100 of your fellow students had been flying over the Pacific Ocean, on your way to participate in a student exchange program. A terrible storm forced the plane hundreds of miles off course and, if that weren’t bad enough, lightning struck the plane, doing enough damage to force the pilot to attempt an emergency landing on a small, remote island. The pilot, co-pilot, and several students are injured and require care. As they are attended to, others set off to explore the island. . .

6. A few hours are enough to see what the island has to offer. As fate would have it, there is a clear spring for fresh water, wild fruits, vegetables, and some game on the island. There is an abundant forest of trees as well. Further the group is able to salvage many items from the plane including a first aid kit and clothing. So far so good. “We can survive here, “ you think to yourselves. . .

7. There is bad news too!! When lightning struck the plane it damaged the radio and emergency transmitters. The pilot is unsure as to whether his distress calls were received. Worse, because of the storm the plane was way off course. The island may even be outside of the normal search grids. Reality sinks in . . . You all may be here for a very, very long time!

8. Motivated by your common need for survival, you cooperate: one group will build crude shelters, while another gathers food. After a few days of steady work, everyone is comfortable. After a few weeks, a routine settles in.

9. The first sign of trouble comes from one student who refuses to take his turn collecting water from the spring. Other students support him. They wander off, refusing to do the work necessary for survival on the island; they are planning to establish their own community. The different groups of students begin to compete for the island’s dwindling resources. Your once cohesive group is splitting into factions. Something must be done or everyone’s chances for survival will be threatened. Disaster is imminent!!

10. It is clear to you that rules are needed to govern the group. You need a code of conduct. You need a common purpose. You must create a government.

11. Explain why you and your classmates need a government in this situation.

12. Given the situation, how would you go about the process of creating a government?

13. What are the four purposes of government? Provide an example for each.

14. List and describe the three types of government.

15. List and describe the three types of economic systems.

16. Using the answers to your questions as a guide, think about what type of government would best achieve the purposes of government in this situation. When you have decided, write out your answers. Make sure to identify your reasons for your decision - you are going to need them to convince your classmates!!!

18. Will your society practice Capitalism / Free Market Communism / Command Economy Socialism Why?

19. Provisions for Life’s Necessities: Explain how you will provide for the basic necessities of living in your utopia. (food, water, shelter, etc. ) How will your society distribute jobs? What will the people in your utopia do for a living? How do they make money and spend money? What will be your currency? How do you plan to build shelters? How will you grow or acquire food? What will you do about education? What kind of curriculum will you have? What will you do about health care? Will there be police of military?

21. Look at the US Declaration of Independence; note its structure and content. Preamble & Statement of Beliefs: Write a statement outlining the purpose and philosophical basis for the creation of your utopia. This will be a brief statement (2-3 paragraphs) describing the reasons for your formation of a utopian society. Include the fundamental values and goals of your society. Refer to the preamble and statement of beliefs of the US Declaration of Independence. List of Complaints: Make a list of reasons for forming your society. In other words, what is it that you do not like about the current society? What are your specific complaints? How has the current society broken trust with you? Why do you feel the need for a more perfect society?

22. Provide information on conflicts, wars, important leaders (presidents, kings, queens, etc. ), development, etc.

23. Preamble (Statement of Goals) Model = US Constitution Resolution of Disputes (How will disputes be settled?) Law Enforcement (How will laws be enforced and who will enforce them? What are the consequences for violating societal rules or laws?) Laws (What are the most important laws for your island?) Write a List of 10 Laws for your Society that all members of the society would follow. Give a rationale for each rule. How are people informed of the laws Can all have a say in how the society is governed? How do the people give input to leaders? Will there be a system of punishment for those who commit crimes? Develop a list of crimes and corresponding punishments.

24. Election / Appointment of Officials (How will those in charge gain power?) Government Power (What can your government do? How is your government limited?) Structure of Government (Describe the basic structure of your government.) Bill of Rights ( What are at least 10 rights or guarantees that you will make to your citizens?) Will all people be free How free? Free to Think? Free to Hate? Free to be Violent? Free to support any belief? Include any other information your group thinks that it is important to know about your island society

25. Provide information on Imports / Exports, Trade, Economic Issues, Standard of Living, Financial Institutions (Money), Global Impact, Etc.

26. Create a flag that is representative of your utopia. Explain the relevance of your flag. Provide information on Cultural Beliefs, Practices, Social and / or Ethnic Groups, Religions, How people get along with one another and contribute to society, Roles people play, Media, etc.