Introduction

The Facing History and Ourselves course is designed to raise awareness of global issues that are prevalent throughout history. The goal is to create a better future by examining the great injustices of the past. Through the course, the student first observes them self and the way that they respond to outside influences. Towards the conclusion, the Holocaust is shown in effort to avoid future grotesque actions. By studying intolerance and racism, students gain a better understanding of civic value.  In order to examine the numerous instances of intolerance, films and readings, including first person accounts, are utilized. Through viewing historical injustice and the students’ intrinsic reaction, they will be able to not only learn about the past, but also themselves. The course focuses on identity, membership, history, judgment, memory, legacy, and participation. The Facing History curriculum is designed in order to help students discover who they themselves really are from an ethical standpoint. Students discover their identities and how they affect both their behavior and decision making. The concept of superiority and inferiority are explored in a historical context, via the Holocaust, to prove to students the value of human life. From personal experience, one of the most helpful aspects of the course is teaching the person how to maintain their individuality while placed in groups. The student learns how to be a well rounded person who is able to step in when intolerance and adversity presents itself. Overall, the course leaves students with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them by employing historical evidence of injustices.