Genocide & Connection Articles Socratic Seminar:
Darfur, The Pyramind of Hate & Elie Weisel
CA State Standards:
Reading: Comprehension. 3.7 Recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including
figurative language, imagery, and symbolism, and explain their appeal.
Reading: Literary Criticism 3.11 Evaluate the aesthetic qualities of style, including the impact of diction and
figurative language on tone, mood, and theme, using the terminology of literary criticism.
Reading: Literary Response & Analysis 3.5 Compare works that express a universal theme and provide evidence to
support the ideas expressed in each work.
Writing: Responses to Literature 2.2 a. Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of literary works.
b. Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to other works.
Listening & Speaking Strategies 1.1 Formulate judgments about the ideas under discussion and support those
judgments with convincing evidence; 1.9 Analyze the occasion and the interests of the audience and choose effective
verbal and nonverbal techniques (e.g., voice, gestures, eye contact) for presentations.
2.4 Deliver oral responses to literature: a. Advance a judgment demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the significant
ideas of works. b. Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to
other works.
1. Analyze the Text: Review the genocide, Weisel articles, and Night. How do these
articles make you feel? What emotions come forward (i.e. shock, guilt, sadness,
confusion)? What information (or lack thereof) seems to get more of reaction from you as
the reader? What questions still remain in your mind?
2. Talking Point Questions:
a. Use the selections to generate a list of at least TWO original questions that you
would like to ask or discuss with the class. BE SPECIFIC!
i. For every question that you create, you must provide a possible answer.
Cite examples, line numbers, and/or page numbers to support your
answers.
ii. Do not ask questions that can be answered by “yes” or “no”
iii. Be able to ask & answer higher-level questions based on Bloom’s
Taxonomy (level 4 and up)
3. Seminar Discussion Questions: ALL answers to the questions MUST be supported with
evidence from the texts (MLA – direct quotes + parenthetical documentation)!
a. Opening Question: Are Weisel’s stories representative of other victims of
genocide or crimes against humanity? Why or why not?
b. Core/ Central Question:
i. The Pyramid of Hate activity suggests that we all have choices
(other than the victim) when it comes to crimes against humanity.
Do you agree or disagree and why? Do victims have any power?
Explain your answer.
ii. Is there a difference in responsibility between the person who
commits violence to support an unjust state and the person who
commits violence in order to resist state-sponsored human rights
violations? Who, in your mind, carries the most responsibility?
Refer to examples from specific genocides.
iii. Do you feel personally responsible in any way? Why or why not?
If so, what do you feel responsible for and how do feel about that
responsibility?
iv. Do you agree with Weisel’s actions & decisions as a postHolocaust victim? Why or why not?
Closing Question: Can the past be healed? Is it necessary for forgiveness to take
place? Is knowing the truth enough? Would you be able to forgive someone after
they admitted to a heinous act?
DON’T FORGET TO PRINT OUT ALL OF YOUR SEMINAR MATERIALS!!!!!!!
Links to articles:
1. “Wiesel roughed up during peace conference”
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/10/local/me-wiesel10
2. “Wiesel urges students to resist cynicism”
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/01/local/me-wiesel1
3. “Darfur: The genocide continues”
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/features/index.asp?article=f
0115a
4. “Once again, the world is silent on Darfur”
http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/clips/opinion-once-again-world-is-silent-on-darfur/
5. Anti-Defamation League’s Pyramid of Hate Exercise
http://college.usc.edu/vhi/education/pyramid/exercise/
DON’T FORGET TO PRINT OUT ALL OF YOUR SEMINAR MATERIALS!!!!!!!