The Genocide Factor
Presentation by Kim Decatrel
DATE: 4-28
AIM: How do we examine the phenomenon of
genocide in modern history and connect it to
Edwidge Danticat’s, The Farming of Bones?
DO NOW:
Why do you think Trujillo wanted to commit
such violence against a whole group of
people? Why do you think this happens in the
world in general?
HW 1
GROUP PROJECT HW – Due next class
In your notebook, write about your research topic choice and why you chose it.
Include examples from your preliminary research.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Choose one topic to work on for the rest of the semester. (see website for topic options)
Do some informal preliminary research online to learn a little about the topics that interest you before
making your final choice.
You will have to do two projects for the topic you choose:


work in a group to research and create a presentation for the class
research and write an explanatory essay using the 5 steps of the writing process
In your notebook, write ½ page or more about the following:
1.
Identify the topic you are choosing to work on.
2.
EXPLAIN why you want to work on it.
3.
Refer to your preliminary research by including examples of what interests you about the topic.
4.
Predict what you will discover about the topic as you go more in-depth with your research
5.
How do you think researching this topic will help you understand the book better?
Research Topic Options
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
French and Haitian Creole languages
Sugarcane plantations in Haiti, sugarcane, machetes
Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo
Current Haitian/Dominican relations
The1937 massacre “El Corte,” the cutting, and in Haitian Kreyol, “kout kouto,” the
stabbing.
6. Edwidge Danticat’s life and career
7. French colonization of Haiti
8. Haitian Art/Food/Dress/Music/Dance/Culture
9. Research the 1937 massacre of Haitians by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo and
compare it to more recent ethnic genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia.
10. Choose another dictator, (such as Adolf Hitler or Haitian leader Francois ‘‘Papa Doc’’
Duvalier, and compare him to Rafael Trujillo.) What methods did these men use to
gain and keep control over their countries?
11. Consider the society you live in. Is there any evidence that a dictator like Trujillo
could come to power in your own culture?
HW 2
Flashcards: “The Genocide Factor” #1
1. Genocide
2. Inhumanity
3. Massacre
4. Refugee
5. Propaganda
HW3
Flashcards: “The Genocide Factor” #2
1. Crimes against humanity
2. forced relocation
3. deportation
4. Torture
5. Slaughter
6. Hate speech
7. Upstander
8. bystander
9. Human rights (violations)