Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What do you think The History of Ideas might refer to? What do you know about the history of ideas and its importance in the advancement of human civilization? From your history classes/books/films, how might this history of ideas have evolved to exist today?

Teaching Suggestion: Some students may have a philosophy background or some knowledge on the topic, while others may have none or have a foundation based mainly in popular culture references. If students struggle with this question, prompt them further by asking if they know of any famous philosophers and the ideas they contributed, as well as how these ideas have shaped the world. Sophie’s journey is one through the history of how humans came to think for themselves and understand themselves, the world, and their place in it. This question builds a foundation for the importance of this history. To help students establish this foundation, consider accessing and/or sharing these or similar resources:

• “Socrates’ Speech from Plato, Symposium” – This text includes the philosopher’s speech on understanding the true beauty of the world.