August 27, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Roots of Intolerance  is a course designed to introduce students to some very difficult concepts in human history.  The course will explore some of the darkest periods of recent history that involves mankind’s worst treatment of one another.  The course will include units directed at the following: defining and identifying genocide, looking at the reasons why people turn to genocide as a solution to their “problems”, the dilemma of the bystander, the United States’ moral responsibility in regards to human rights violations and lastly what can individuals do to combat genocide and, more appropriately, the spread of intolerance among individuals.  This study will include looking at concepts such as the United State’s failure to act in the face of certain atrocities (Rwanda in 1994, or the failure to bomb the railroad tracks leading to Auschwitz).  In addition, it will also include the psychological study of human nature to each other, in regards to groups, ethnicity, religion, etc. and the questions that study raises.

These concepts are being introduced to students in an attempt to have them evaluate their belief systems and what they accept as “true” in terms of messages from our politicians, community leaders and the media.  Higher order thinking will be required on the part of your student, as well as an ability to analyze first person accounts of these tragic events.  

Week to week assignments will include readings from the text Defining the Horrific, journal entries and additional readings that will be assigned, either for class work or as homework.  Students will also work collaboratively throughout the course on projects both in and out of the classroom.  Directions and timelines will be given for those projects when they are assigned.  Students can expect to be quizzed and tested much like a typical Social Studies course.  Quizzes and tests may include multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blanks, short answer, and essay questions. Lastly, the class may watch several Hollywood films throughout the course (Schindler’s List, Hotel Rwanda or Sometimes in April and the Pianist) as well as several documentaries exploring the topics discussed above.    

If you are not opposed to the student taking this course, and exploring/questioning some “conventions” of society (government, our leaders, racism, intolerance, religion, etc.), please fill out the permission slip below and have the student return that portion to me.  If you have any questions or concerns about the subject matter I have indicated, please do not hesitate to call me at (908-638-6116, ext. 2049) or contact me via email at mmcgeehan@nhvweb.net.   Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Marc McGeehan

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Student’s Name: ___________________________________________________

I give my son/daughter full permission to be a part of Roots of Intolerance, with prior knowledge of potentially difficult/questioning subject matter.

Signature of Parent/Guardian: ________________________________________