course+expectations

Course Expectations and Syllabus

In this semester elective, we will be exploring what it means to be humane, and on the other hand, why so many cases of extreme inhumanity have existed and continue to exist. There are obviously no simple answers to such questions, but in attempting to answer them, we also are brought closer to understanding. This history course will examine the forces that motivate the actions of individuals and groups throughout the ages—across the world and in our own nation. While you will learn about the "facts” surrounding specific events in history, you will also be asked to examine the psychological motivations of the individual and of the group and the ethical implications of these actions. Much of what we will study is the “darker” side of history and the more sinister side of humanity. Be aware that the content we will be dealing with is emotionally intense and quite often extremely disturbing. Yet at the same time, we will be learning of extreme acts of integrity, bravery, and compassion.

Your grade in this class will be roughly figured based on the following: Verbal Class Participation—20% Written Reflections (in class and as homework, in journal and on the wiki)—30% Projects—50%

As with so many things in life, YOU WILL GET OUT OF THIS COURSE WHAT YOU PUT IN!!


 * This class absolutely necessitates your VERBAL participation.*

I understand that many of you may not be comfortable voicing your ideas, but that is something you are going to have to get over to successfully be a part of this class. We learn so much from each other when we make the leap from a thought in our own brain and actually translate it into WORDS that others can HEAR and RESPOND to. Your class contribution grade is not based solely on your "speaking" during group discussions, it is based on several factors:

 - Your relevant additions to class discussions;  - How well you work with other students when we are doing classroom activities;  - Your daily attitude in the classroom towards our work, including others' contributions; and,  - Your contribution to the class with ideas and recommendations for change.

Scope and sequence of the semester: Research and present on what is going on in our world today. What are our roles as citizens of the US and the world? What is Justice? From Nuremberg to the Hague and the TRC. || Citizenship: The debate over who gets it and what it means in the US. Looking at the history of immigration to this country, who gets in and why. Focus on civil rights and contemporary issues. || Equality: The Civil Rights Movement, Apartheid, ERA, who sits with who at lunch at BHS. || ==Unit V …and Ourselves. ==
 * **Unit I Holocaust ** || **Unit II Modern Genocide ** || **Unit III Citizenship ** ||
 * Case Study: The Holocaust. An in-depth exploration of the Weimar republic and Nazi era with a re-enactment of the 1932 Reichstag election and primary sources. || Modern Genocides: Causes and Connections.
 * ==Unit IV Equality ==

Choosing to Participate: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Personal decisions that can affect the world. || =<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Unit VI Memory = <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How can history heal? Group research and design projects for personal monuments. ||

Unit VII and beyond are up to you...