Teaching the topic of genocide in schools is always a thorny issue. For one thing, there is the challenge of national historical narratives which somehow must be put in critical engagement with other (national) narratives and experiences of episodes of genocides in the 20th century. On the other hand, there is the responsibility to educate pupils about the topic of genocidal violence in an appropriate didactical way, without overpowering them with the worst atrocities of human history.
This workshop is designed to tackle both issues regarding the Armenian Genocide in three parts (in each case 90 minutes) using ideas and materials developed by the Lepsiushaus Potsdam for training of teachers:
Part 1: Informal discussion on different national perspectives
How is the Armenian Genocide taught in Armenia and in Germany? How does a comparative approach on teaching the issue suits the curriculum? Which extracurricular institutions or activities could be included in such an approach?
Part 2: Pictures and types of texts I
The use of pictures and texts are essential for understanding the past. In this part, we discuss the impact of pictures and different source materials always regarding deductive and inductive methods of teaching. Example 1: Phases of destruction of the Armenian Genocide through the lens of photo material and witness reports.
Part 3: Pictures and types of texts II and concluding reflexions
Example 2: The line of communication and the radicalization of violence. In the concluding reflexions, we will exchange our experiences with these two examples and discuss possible extensions or modifications
Roy Knocke is a research fellow at the Lepsiushaus Potsdam. He did a PhD on philosophical and sociological aspects of genocide and teaches regularly, as an associate lecturer, classes of history at the University of Potsdam. Currently, he is working on a historical-critical perspective on the major writings of Johannes Lepsius regarding the Armenian question and the Armenian genocide. Up to now, his two major publications are:
Das Jahrhundert der Genozide. Ursprünge, Formen und Folgen politischer Gewalt im 20. Jahrhundert [The century of genocide. Origins, types and aftermath of political violence in the 20th century] ed. together with Olaf Glöckner, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 2017.
Franz Werfel und der Genozid an den Armeniern [Franz Werfel and the Armenian Genocide], ed. together with Werner Treß, De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston 2015.
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