Human Rights Violations and Genocide: The Armenian Case
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Human Rights Violations and Genocide: The Armenian Case

Grade 10HistorySocial Studies5 days
In this project, 10th-grade students explore the Armenian Genocide during World War I, focusing on human rights violations and their long-term consequences. Students will analyze the historical context, Ottoman policies, and evidence surrounding the genocide, while also learning about human rights and the definition of genocide. Through curated portfolio activities, students will investigate primary sources, survivor testimonies, and international laws to develop a comprehensive understanding of this historical event and its lasting impact. The project culminates in students reflecting on the role of the international community in preventing future atrocities.
Armenian GenocideHuman Rights ViolationsOttoman EmpireGenocide StudiesHistorical AnalysisSurvivor TestimoniesSocial Studies
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How does the Armenian Genocide during World War I exemplify the violation of human rights, and what are the long-term consequences of such atrocities on the targeted group and the pursuit of justice and recognition?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are human rights and why are they important?
  • What is genocide and what are its characteristics?
  • What were the causes and consequences of the Armenian Genocide during World War I?
  • How did the Ottoman government implement its policies against Armenian citizens?
  • What evidence exists to support claims of human rights violations and genocide against Armenians during this period?
  • How have different groups and nations recognized or denied the Armenian Genocide, and why?
  • How do genocides affect the targeted group?
  • What are the long-term effects of the Armenian Genocide on survivors and their descendants?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to define human rights and genocide.
  • Students will be able to describe the causes, events, and consequences of the Armenian Genocide.
  • Students will be able to analyze the Ottoman government's policies against Armenian citizens.
  • Students will be able to evaluate evidence supporting claims of human rights violations and genocide.
  • Students will be able to compare and contrast different perspectives on the recognition or denial of the Armenian Genocide.
  • Students will be able to analyze the long-term effects of the Armenian Genocide on survivors and their descendants.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Unveiling Hidden Voices: A Virtual Museum of Lost Memories

Students step into the roles of museum curators tasked with creating an exhibit on the Armenian Genocide. The entry event features a collection of unlabeled artifacts, photographs, and testimonies, challenging students to analyze, interpret, and connect these fragments to understand the human stories behind the historical event and consider the lasting impact of genocide.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Human Rights Defined

Students will begin by defining human rights, exploring the importance of these rights, and examining the role of international bodies in protecting them.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and identify key articles relevant to the prevention of genocide.
2. Write a short essay explaining the significance of human rights in protecting vulnerable groups from systematic persecution.
3. Discuss in groups how the violation of human rights can lead to atrocities like genocide.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn essay that defines human rights, explains their significance, and connects their violation to the risk of genocide.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to define human rights and genocide.
Activity 2

Anatomy of a Genocide

This activity focuses on understanding what constitutes genocide according to international law and identifying the characteristics that define it.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Examine the United Nations definition of genocide as outlined in the Genocide Convention.
2. Identify and describe the different acts that constitute genocide (e.g., killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction).
3. Create a presentation that outlines the key characteristics of genocide.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation that clearly defines genocide and explains its characteristics, using examples from history.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to define human rights and genocide.
Activity 3

Prelude to Tragedy: Understanding the Armenian Context

Students will investigate the historical context leading up to the Armenian Genocide, including the social, political, and economic conditions of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the history of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, focusing on their status, rights, and any existing tensions with the Ottoman government.
2. Analyze primary source documents (e.g., Ottoman decrees, Armenian petitions) to understand the grievances and concerns of the Armenian population.
3. Write a report summarizing the historical context and identifying potential factors that contributed to the genocide.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report detailing the historical context of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, including their social, political, and economic conditions, and identifying factors that contributed to the genocide.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to describe the causes, events, and consequences of the Armenian Genocide.
Activity 4

The Implementation of Destruction: Ottoman Policies Unveiled

This activity requires students to analyze the specific policies and actions implemented by the Ottoman government against Armenian citizens during World War I.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Examine Ottoman government documents, orders, and directives related to the treatment of Armenians during World War I.
2. Analyze the implementation of policies such as forced deportations, confiscation of property, and discriminatory laws targeting Armenians.
3. Create a timeline that illustrates the progression of Ottoman policies against Armenian citizens.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline illustrating the progression of Ottoman policies against Armenian citizens, supported by evidence from primary sources.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to analyze the Ottoman government's policies against Armenian citizens.
Activity 5

Bearing Witness: Examining Evidence of Atrocities

Students will evaluate various forms of evidence, including survivor testimonies, photographs, and official records, to support claims of human rights violations and genocide against Armenians.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Collect and examine survivor testimonies, photographs, and official records documenting the events of the Armenian Genocide.
2. Analyze the evidence for reliability, bias, and corroboration with other sources.
3. Write an argumentative essay that presents evidence supporting the claim that the Armenian Genocide was a human rights violation and act of genocide.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn argumentative essay presenting evidence that supports claims of human rights violations and genocide against Armenians, using survivor testimonies, photographs, and official records.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to evaluate evidence supporting claims of human rights violations and genocide.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Portfolio Rubric: Examining the Armenian Genocide

Category 1

Understanding Human Rights and Genocide

Demonstrates understanding of human rights principles and the definition and characteristics of genocide.
Criterion 1

Definition of Human Rights

Accuracy and depth of understanding of human rights and their relevance to the prevention of genocide.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a sophisticated and nuanced definition of human rights, explaining their philosophical underpinnings and practical applications in preventing atrocities like genocide.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately defines human rights and explains their significance in protecting vulnerable groups from systematic persecution.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic definition of human rights but struggles to connect them effectively to the prevention of genocide.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding of human rights and their significance.

Criterion 2

Defining Genocide

Clarity and accuracy in defining genocide according to international law and identifying its key characteristics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Offers a comprehensive and nuanced definition of genocide, thoroughly explaining all its key characteristics and providing historical examples beyond the Armenian Genocide.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly defines genocide and explains its characteristics, using examples from history.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic definition of genocide but struggles to explain all its key characteristics clearly.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding of the definition and characteristics of genocide.

Category 2

Historical Context and Ottoman Policies

Demonstrates understanding of the historical context leading up to the Armenian Genocide and the specific policies implemented by the Ottoman government.
Criterion 1

Historical Context

Depth of understanding of the social, political, and economic conditions of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents a detailed and insightful analysis of the historical context, including nuanced understanding of social, political, and economic factors contributing to the genocide.

Proficient
3 Points

Details the historical context of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, including their social, political, and economic conditions, and identifies factors that contributed to the genocide.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic overview of the historical context but lacks depth in explaining the contributing factors to the genocide.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding of the historical context of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

Criterion 2

Analysis of Ottoman Policies

Thoroughness in analyzing the specific policies and actions implemented by the Ottoman government against Armenian citizens.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an incisive analysis of Ottoman policies, demonstrating a deep understanding of their intent, implementation, and impact on Armenian citizens, supported by compelling evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Illustrates the progression of Ottoman policies against Armenian citizens with a detailed timeline supported by evidence from primary sources.

Developing
2 Points

Describes some Ottoman policies but lacks a clear timeline or sufficient evidence to support the analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited understanding of Ottoman policies and their impact on Armenian citizens.

Category 3

Evaluation of Evidence and Argumentation

Effectiveness in evaluating evidence supporting claims of human rights violations and genocide and presenting a well-reasoned argument.
Criterion 1

Evidence Analysis

Critical evaluation of various forms of evidence, including survivor testimonies, photographs, and official records.

Exemplary
4 Points

Critically evaluates evidence with sophisticated insight, addressing issues of reliability, bias, and corroboration with exceptional clarity and thoroughness.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents evidence that supports claims of human rights violations and genocide against Armenians, using survivor testimonies, photographs, and official records.

Developing
2 Points

Presents some evidence but lacks a thorough analysis of its reliability or potential biases.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited ability to evaluate evidence or use it to support claims of human rights violations and genocide.

Criterion 2

Argumentation

Clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness of the argumentative essay.

Exemplary
4 Points

Constructs a compelling and nuanced argument, demonstrating exceptional clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness, supported by meticulously analyzed evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear and well-reasoned argument that the Armenian Genocide was a human rights violation and act of genocide.

Developing
2 Points

Presents an argument with some supporting evidence but lacks clarity or coherence.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited ability to construct a clear or persuasive argument.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of human rights and genocide evolved through this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

What was the most impactful piece of evidence or testimony you encountered, and why?

Text
Required
Question 3

To what extent do you believe the international community has a responsibility to prevent and respond to genocides? (Scale: 1-5, 1 being not at all, 5 being a great extent)

Scale
Required
Question 4

What actions can individuals and communities take to promote human rights and prevent future atrocities?

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Required
Question 5

Which activity contributed most to your learning about the Armenian Genocide?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Human Rights Defined
Anatomy of a Genocide
Prelude to Tragedy: Understanding the Armenian Context
The Implementation of Destruction: Ottoman Policies Unveiled
Bearing Witness: Examining Evidence of Atrocities