Culturally Responsive Education: Understanding the History of Worldwide Genocide Cori Sternstein and Dominick Pursino Introduction
Social Emotional Learning Competencies (SEL)
Problem: The NYS Social Studies Standards have failed to recognize the issue of genocide, despite it being a large part of our global community today, and much of the 20th century. Teachers are also often very limited in how much they are able to address such a topic due to its severity. Purpose: The purpose of this unit is to allow students the opportunity about the history of genocide around the world, and allow for them the chance to learn about agents of change for their own inspiration.
Social Awareness: “The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. This includes taking others’ perspectives, recognizing strengths in others, demonstrating empathy and compassion, showing concern for the feelings of others, identifying diverse social norms, including unjust ones, recognizing situational demands and opportunities, and understanding the influences of organizations and systems on behavior. (Principle 2)
Unit Compelling Question
NYS CR-S Framework Strategies
How could our understanding of human rights violations in the 20th century help us to understand the word “genocide,” as well as attempts by resistors to stop it?
High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction (CR-S Education Framework
Unit Supporting Questions 1. How did the word “genocide” change how the world responds to mass violence? 2. How did the Cambodian Genocide fit the UN definition of genocide? 3. How did the Rwandan Genocide change the international community’s approach to addressing genocide? 4. How did attempts for resistance against the perpetrators of genocide instill the need for legislative change?
Framework 10.5e Human atrocities and mass murders occurred in this time period. Students will examine the atrocities against the Armenians; examine the Ukrainian Holodomor, and examine the Holocaust. 10.10c HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS: Since the Holocaust, human rights violations have generated worldwide attention and concern. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights has provided a set of principles to guide efforts to protect threatened groups Page 27 Grades 9-12 and has served as a lens through which historical occurrences of oppression can be evaluated.
Activity Samples
27) Critical Examination of Power Structures (Supporting Questions 2 and 3) Ongoing Professional Learning and Support (CR-S Education Framework 28) Curriculum and instruction is aligned with the histories, languages, and experiences of traditionally marginalized voices. Provide opportunities for students to critically examine topics of power and privilege. These can be planned project-based learning initiatives (Fostering High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction)
Summative Task Students will be paired up and will create a powerpoint presentation about one of the genocides that we did not discuss in class. They will incorporate what they have learned about the definitions of genocides, the attempts and interventions to stop these genocides, along with pictures.
Taking Informed Action How do these genocides still impact various people around the world today? - There are still various human rights violations occurring in the world today, such as the Uighurs in China and Rohingya in Myanmar. - Students will visit the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center in Glen Cove to explore the recent instances of genocide in our world today as inspiration for their powerpoints.
Discussion Prior to the creation of the word genocide, different groups around the world were targetted, usually on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, or race. The creation of the word gave the international community a platform to act, allowing for those guilty of committing genocide to be punished. Despite the creation of means of prevention for genocide, these events still continued to occur all over the world during the 20th century, and even into the 21st century. Genocide and its related acts continuously are left out of news outlets today, or are often breezed over in an effort to shield the world from the severity.