Mrs. Harvey 2015 - 2016
Facing History and Ourselves: The Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Behavior and Race and Membership in America
Description of the Course: This course will follow the scope and sequence of Facing History and Ourselves. It will attempt to lead you to an understanding of history as a sequence of events resulting from actions and decisions made by individuals instead of seeing history as a series of inevitable events. You will examine your roles and responsibilities as global citizens and understand the diameters of your ‘universes of obligation,’ and the potential for a wide-reaching impact that every individual has on a daily basis. These themes will be examined through a series of readings, videos, activities and reflections in journals kept by each student. The primary historical case study when we study genocide will be an examination of the Holocaust, followed by shorter units that will examine other acts of genocide in the 20th century.
In addition, we will be examining issues of race in American history. The themes of self-definition and identity, the notion of “difference,” the concept of “race,” civil rights, immigration over the last 200+ years, world religions, and education, among other themes, will be examined. We will consider the experiences of various ethnic groups in the United States, including, but not limited to, Chinese-Americans, African Americans, Native Americans. The course will examine the roles science and education have played in institutionalizing “difference” in the United States. We will examine the policy decisions made based on these notions of difference, and the legacies such decisions have left. Using contemporary history and current events, students will consider how their choices shape the nature of society.
By examining acts of genocide and injustice, you will have the opportunity to reflect upon the universality of racism and social injustice, but also upon the importance of global awareness and the potential for making a difference that is available to every person.
Requirements:
A journal with lined pages with pockets for hand-outs This journal is to be used exclusively for Facing History. Writing utensils.
Text: You will be provided with a series of texts throughout the year. They are all paperback - please make every attempt to take care of them.
Essential Questions:
● What is the importance of identity?
● What is the relationship between identity and action?
● What makes people conform/obey?
● What choices do individuals have?
● Who is to be held responsible for incidents of collective violence?
● What are the origins of the idea of “race”?
● How should historical events be memorialized?
● How can an individual make a difference?
The class will meet in Room 209 each day, unless otherwise indicated. I am available for assistance after school on most days, and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] if you need to reach me for any reason at other times.
Facing History and Ourselves: The Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Behavior and Race and Membership in America
Description of the Course: This course will follow the scope and sequence of Facing History and Ourselves. It will attempt to lead you to an understanding of history as a sequence of events resulting from actions and decisions made by individuals instead of seeing history as a series of inevitable events. You will examine your roles and responsibilities as global citizens and understand the diameters of your ‘universes of obligation,’ and the potential for a wide-reaching impact that every individual has on a daily basis. These themes will be examined through a series of readings, videos, activities and reflections in journals kept by each student. The primary historical case study when we study genocide will be an examination of the Holocaust, followed by shorter units that will examine other acts of genocide in the 20th century.
In addition, we will be examining issues of race in American history. The themes of self-definition and identity, the notion of “difference,” the concept of “race,” civil rights, immigration over the last 200+ years, world religions, and education, among other themes, will be examined. We will consider the experiences of various ethnic groups in the United States, including, but not limited to, Chinese-Americans, African Americans, Native Americans. The course will examine the roles science and education have played in institutionalizing “difference” in the United States. We will examine the policy decisions made based on these notions of difference, and the legacies such decisions have left. Using contemporary history and current events, students will consider how their choices shape the nature of society.
By examining acts of genocide and injustice, you will have the opportunity to reflect upon the universality of racism and social injustice, but also upon the importance of global awareness and the potential for making a difference that is available to every person.
Requirements:
A journal with lined pages with pockets for hand-outs This journal is to be used exclusively for Facing History. Writing utensils.
Text: You will be provided with a series of texts throughout the year. They are all paperback - please make every attempt to take care of them.
Essential Questions:
● What is the importance of identity?
● What is the relationship between identity and action?
● What makes people conform/obey?
● What choices do individuals have?
● Who is to be held responsible for incidents of collective violence?
● What are the origins of the idea of “race”?
● How should historical events be memorialized?
● How can an individual make a difference?
The class will meet in Room 209 each day, unless otherwise indicated. I am available for assistance after school on most days, and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] if you need to reach me for any reason at other times.