Full course description
This course will run October 1-December 31. Teaching about genocide is both an essential responsibility and a professional challenge. This 15-hour course equips educators with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to address the topic in ways that are historically accurate, ethically sound, and responsive to student needs.
Over the course of five structured modules, participants will:
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Build foundational understanding by defining genocide using internationally recognized frameworks and distinguishing it from related crimes.
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Examine common patterns and stages of genocides, including how prejudice, propaganda, and institutions escalate discrimination into mass violence.
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Analyze diverse sources—including survivor testimonies, legal documents, propaganda, and cultural expressions—to highlight the human impact of genocide.
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Explore resistance and resilience within persecuted communities to balance narratives of victimization with those of survival and agency.
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Develop classroom applications by integrating trauma-informed practices, inquiry-based strategies, and ethical guidelines for teaching difficult histories.
Structure & Time Commitment
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Total Time: Approximately 15 hours
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Modules: Five modules, each requiring 2–3 hours of engagement through readings, videos, reflections, discussions, and knowledge checks
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Capstone Project: A final 3-hour project in which participants design a classroom or professional development resource that applies course concepts to their own role
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Assessment: Each module includes short self-graded checks, with a 20-question final exam to demonstrate mastery
By the end of the course, participants will not only deepen their understanding of genocide as a historical and human phenomenon, but also develop practical resources to teach this content responsibly and effectively.