Navigating the Human Condition in the 21st Century
Evidence-Based Curriculum for High School Students
The development of this curriculum was made possible through the generosity of a donor community in Cleveland, Ohio.
As students explore the landscape of the human condition, they learn about our shared human needs, such as purpose, self-worth and expression, and how to meet those needs in healthy ways. This map is the first of 7 interconnected maps that students use to navigate the epic story of the human condition.
Along the journey, students develop the muscles of their humanity, empowering them to understand the root causes of aggression, recognize the power of calm, and use the wisdom of strategy to navigate the most challenging parts of being human. The lessons are free (linked further down the page) and are accompanied by an optional illustrated student manual, designed to match the size of manuals from classic video games such as the original The Legend of Zelda.
Informed by peer-reviewed research and years of consulting with high school educators from across the US and Canada, these lessons provide students with practice in Peace Literacy skills while helping them develop an increased capacity for empathy and stewardship to positively impact their communities and the world.
From Vern Burton, a high school administrator serving at-risk youth in California:
"Peace Literacy has unlimited potential to engage the most challenging students with meaningful subject matter. The Peace Literacy Institute presents an opportunity to get in touch with their inner negative tendencies and grow as individuals. This could be the most engaging Social Emotional Learning I have seen in my 25 years as an educator."
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For an introduction to Peace Literacy and our work with Burton and his team, see our essay "Peace Literacy, VR, and Alternative Education" published in the 2024 issue of the Journal of Juvenile Court, Community and Alternative School Administrators of California.
Lessons from the first of seven maps:
Each of the 14 lessons is structured for 50-90 min. sessions.
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Designed primarily for high school students, we've been hearing from some middle school teachers that the material is helpful for their students as well.
All lessons © Paul K. Chappell, Stephanie Clapes, and Sharyn Clough 2025.
Materials:
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Educators can download pdfs of the lessons and handouts as well as lecture slides, for free, below.
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The Muscles of Our Humanity student manual is optional and can be purchased at cost (tba).
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You can download a sample of the manual, here. Visit here for image and artist credits for the manual.
​The first set of lessons in this series helps students navigate
The Island of Aggression.
Navigating The Island of Aggression
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Lesson 1 The Human Condition
Lesson 2 Warning Aggression
Lesson 3a The Anatomy of Aggression
Lesson 3b Aggression, Play, Excitement
Lesson 4 The Eye of Empathy
Navigating The Island of Aggression, continued
Lesson 5a Deimos & Phobos
Lesson 5b Overcoming Deimos & Phobos
Lesson 6a Ares and Athena
Lesson 6b Moral Fury
Lesson 7 Cultivating Calm
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pdf of lesson
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slides for students
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The next lessons in the series help students navigate
The Island of Melancholy.
Navigating The Island of Melancholy
Lesson 8 Sister Islands
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pdf of lesson
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slides for students
Lesson 9a The Doorway of Appreciation
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pdf of lesson
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slides for students
Lesson 9b The Muscles of our Humanity
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pdf of lesson
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slides for students
Lesson 10 Stewardship
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pdf of lesson
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slides for students
From an educator using these materials in their classroom:
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“The students bring up Peace Literacy ideas and themes in other contexts and in other classes. As a teacher that’s when you know that you’ve won. When it’s resonated enough that they’re bringing it up on their own, that’s very exciting.”
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Danielle Miles, Spring 2025
There are more islands on this map and more maps for students to navigate, in the
Landscape of the Human Condition.
Your donation helps us build them.