Social Justice & Genocide

Synopsis of Curriculum

The Social Justice and Genocide Studies course provides students with an overview of some historical and 20^th Century world events that are focused on the paradigm of good vs. evil of individuals, groups, and nations. It will establish a psycho-social, historical, and cultural framework that enables students to examine case studies of social justice, genocide, and mass violence on six of the seven continents. The Holocaust in Europe, as well as the genocides in Turkey, Cambodia, the Americas, Rwanda, China, and North Korea are some of the case studies that illuminate the mass violence, torture, killing of humans and destruction of their ways of life. Students will examine why and how some people perpetrate evil (genocide, mass violence), are apathetic bystanders, or take a stand for social justice.

Students will learn an overview of the social justice theory, its practices, and then examine case studies of historic and 20^th Century genocide and mass violence. They will also learn about risk, prevention, intervention, and accountability so they may get involved.

Units of Study Titles

Morality: Good, Evil, and Apathy

Historic American Case Studies: Failures of Social Justice

20^th Century Global Case Studies: Failures of Social Justice

Lessons Learned and New Questions: Promise and Potential of Social Justice