Roots of Intolerance
Syllabus 2015-2016
Mr. McGeehan
mmcgeehan@nhvweb.net
Roots of Intolerance is a course designed to explore the uniquely human invention of genocide over the past two hundred years from both a historical/global perspective and from a micro “personal” perspective. The student should be warned; this course is intended to explore some difficult and challenging concepts in regards to human behavior. Many of the issues raised will have no easy answers. One should not expect a “yes” or “no” answer to the questions we will explore.
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. Finally, students can expect to be quizzed and tested (quarterlies/final exams) 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.
The course is divided into FOUR units, which build upon each other as the course goes forward. Mastery of the concepts in one unit is vital to the next unit.
Unit 1 – Defining Genocide – This unit includes looking at the United Nations’ definition of “genocide” and what differentiates it from other human rights violations, such as mass murder. In addition, the “ethnic cleansing” phenomenon will be explored. Finally, an in depth analysis of the film Schindler’s List will be presented.
Unit 2 – Why Genocide?/Roots of Intolerance – Where did all this hatred come from? How do people get themselves to the point where killing is deemed an acceptable solution to one’s distaste of other human beings? This unit will lead us into history to look at some roots of people’s intolerance for each other.
Unit 3 – The Bystander’s Dilemma – Why do some people act in the face of extraordinary evil and others turn away? What makes some people participants in genocide? What about those who choose to do nothing? Or those who choose to resist? This unit will deal with these rather uncomfortable issues. Hotel Rwanda or Sometimes in April will be showcased in this unit.
Unit 4 – Our Moral and Individual Responsibility – Why does the United States fail to act or act in the face of certain international incidents? The role of the United States as world leader will be explored. We will attempt to answer whether the United States has the responsibility, authority and ability to respond when genocide occurs. As an individual, we usually feel fairly helpless when extraordinary evil happens in far way countries. What can one person do, on both the international level as well as in our own interpersonal relationships? The Pianist may be shown as the culmination of the course.
