Teacher Resources 2007
Human Rights, Genocide, and the Holocaust
June 18-22, 2007, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stephen Feinstein, Department of History
This program analyzes genocide through a multi-disciplinary approach and provides the intellectual framework for understanding genocide and the human responses to it in a collaboration with The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies and the University of Minnesota. The program explores the universality of the issues related to genocide and takes a comparative approach for understanding the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, the Cambodian Genocide and Rwandan Genocide, and more recent events with genocidal overtones. Other themes explored include the mass violation of human rights; women, children, and genocide; how to teach about genocide; issues of memorialization and representation; and possibilities of dialogue and reconciliation between perpetrator and victim groups. This course is taught by numerous national and local scholars in the field.
Transitional Justice: Seeking Truth and Accountability for Systematic Human Rights Violations
July 9-13, 2007; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barbara Frey, Human Rights Program
Martha Bigelow, Curriculum and Instruction
Countries emerging from eras of repression, armed conflict, or mass atrocities must find a way to address the past before they can make a successful transition into more open, democratic societies. What to do with the past is a dramatic decision for a society that has experienced grave violations to individuals and groups, and to the public’s trust in government. This week-long course will explore some of the methods and mechanisms that have been developed by national and international actors, including truth commissions, prosecutions and compensation, to assist societies to transition away from a repressive past. Case studies will include South Africa’ and Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, the Special Tribunal for Cambodia, community-based “gacaca” courts in Rwanda, ad hoc international tribunals on Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the Iraqi Special Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity, and the International Criminal Court.
Chinese Classroom Strategies: Effective Chinese Language Instruction
July 23-24, 2007
Zhen Zou, Asian Languages and Literatures
Ling Wang, Asian Languages and Literatures
Teachers of Chinese language are invited to attend this seminar to learn new teaching techniques and share their own curricular tools with their peers. The two-day seminar will allow teachers to observe beginning and intermediate Chinese language courses at the University of Minnesota, followed by a "best practices" session, and a session focusing on useful internet resources for Chinese Language Instruction led by Zhen Zou, Associate Education Specialist in Chinese language, and Ling Wang, Lecturer in Chinese language.
Teaching Ethnic Studies
July 30-August 3, 2007, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rose Brewer, Department of African American and African Studies
This Institute will familiarize teachers with the local and international cultural, political and demographic changes in our increasingly multicultural society. The course will highlight critical differences and similarities among ethnic groups, especially in terms of their cultural heritages, immigration histories, American experiences, statuses and futures in a changing world. Teachers will examine key themes, including histories, interests and perspectives of American ethnic groups in global and local contexts and the international cultural, political and societal contexts that influence the interconnectedness of American ethnic groups and their homelands.
Teaching Asia through Film
July 30–August 3, 2007; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christine Marran, Department of Asian Languages and Literatures
How can we use movies to teach students about Asia? As movies are becoming more diverse, Asian films are frequently showing up in movie theaters and video stores. This institute will feature four films from Asia, both East and South Asia. Using films, discussion and readings, teachers will learn techniques for using and analyzing Asian films with their students. Teachers will receive a resource guide with films on video or DVD to use in the classroom.
Art of Documenting: Photography and Modern China
Saturdays, October 6 & 13, 2007
Instructor:
Leo Chen, Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature, University of Minnesota
For this three day workshop the Institute for Global Studies and Weisman Art Museum have teamed up to offer teachers an interdisciplinary glimpse into social change in China. In September 2007 the Weisman is hosting an exciting photography exhibit from the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibits collection, “Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change.” The workshop will include lectures on current issues in China, a visit with the curator of the exhibit Gu Zhen, a day of hands-on work with a local artist on using digital photography in the classroom, and a final evening of teachers showing and sharing their work at the Weisman.
About Documenting China
“Through the dramatic works of seven Chinese photographers, we see the country from an insider’s point of view. With raw black-and-white and color images, photographers Liu Xiaodi, Jiang Jian, Zhang Xinmin, Luo Yongjin, Zhou Hai, Lu Yuanmin, and Zhou Min unveil the truth about China’s internal struggle—a battle between modern industrialism and the traditional, agrarian past that has sustained the country for thousands of years.” - taken from the Smithsonian Institute website.
Understanding Somalia: An Interactive Workshop
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Instructor:
Dr. Cawo Abdi, Department of Sociology, University of Minnesota
This workshop is intended for K-14 teachers to give them a better picture of Somalia's recent history and current issues. The two-hour session will include a brief lecture, further reading resources for teachers, and tools for teaching about Somalia and Africa. There will be time for teachers to ask questions and share curriculum and lesson plans.
Understanding Somalia will take place during the Somali Family Resource Conference, hosted by Somali Family Services of Minnesota, and teachers are encouraged to attend the full day conference.The conference aims to bring members of the Twin Cities communities together to promote understanding and intercultural exchange in the Somali community.
Workshop Series: Exploring National Identity in the European Union
Saturday, September 22: Nationalism and National Identity in the EU
Instructor:
Dr. Thomas Wolfe, Department of History, University of Minnesota
Saturday, October 27: Identity and Cultural Pluralism in France
Instructors:
Njeri Githire, African American and African Studies
Pamela Wesely, Curriculum and Instruction
Trica Keaton, American Studies, University of Minnesota
Saturday, November 10: Sweden: Immigration and Cultural Change
Instructors:
Lena Norrman, Dept of German, Scandinavian and Dutch, U of M
Carl-Gustaf Scott, Hamline University
Erika Holmquist-Wall, Assistant Curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
This three-part workshop series examines the dynamic role of nationalism and national identity in the European Union. The series kicks off with a closer look at the institutional nature of the EU and its effect on national identity, including a discussion that provides a framework for teachers to explore their own understanding and teaching of nationalism. Using this lens, the following three workshops will investigate national representations in art such as literature, theater, and visual arts, of specific European countries. The aim is to allow teachers to delve into the cultural identities of each nation and consider the role of the European Union in the shaping of identities.