Activity 1: Utopianism and Apocalyptism
Part of Resistance and Transformation
Activity time: 25 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Newsprint, markers, and tape
- Handout 1, Utopianism and Apocalypticism
Preparation for Activity
- Read Handout 1 and copy it for all participants.
Description of Activity
Distribute Handout 1, Utopianism and Apocalypticism. Allow participants a few minutes to read it silently. Then, invite comments, observations, and questions about the handout.
Have participants form small groups of three or four. Give each small group newsprint and markers and ask them to list examples of utopian and apocalyptic thought. Encourage them to consider contemporary examples, from both from within and outside Unitarian Universalism.
After about ten minutes, re-gather the large group.
Post a new sheet of newsprint, head two columns "utopian" and "apocalyptic," and invite each small group to post their newsprint and share. As each group presents, record their examples in the appropriate column. Ask if participants see any patterns. What major differences do they see between the examples of utopian and apocalyptic thought? Are there any similarities?