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Professional Learning

Defining Genocide: The Attempt to Name and Prevent a Horrific Crime

In this virtual educator workshop in partnership with the New-York Historical Society, we look to remember the meaning of the word genocide and the conditions that drove a lawyer named Raphael Lemkin to coin this term to describe a horrific crime — a crime that prior to 1944 lacked a name and legal repercussions. By understanding the meaning of the term genocide and the human suffering to which it refers, our students will be able to use it with care while appreciating the need to wrestle with our obligations towards those victimized by a range of human rights violations.

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Our single professional learning sessions are designed to easily fit into your day. Typically one hour or less, these sessions explore timely and relevant topics including teaching strategies, current events, and more.

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This professional learning event will be led by Facing History staff. When you register, you will receive instructions for how to attend the event.

Civics & Citizenship

Genocide

Learn about the historical roots and context for the word Genocide
Engage with scholarship and gain tools to address these historical legacies in your school context
Gain access to educator resources to address the topic of Genocide within a school curriculum

Words referencing mass atrocities of the past, such as fascist, racist, Nazi, genocide, and Holocaust, carry deep historical meaning, yet these words are often misused in reference to contemporary events. Using these words too casually not only diminishes the meaning of the words themselves, but also diminishes the events that the words represent. Yet being too cautious to label an event “genocide” can be an excuse to look away or not intervene.

Join Facing History in partnership with the New-York Historical Society for this virtual educator workshop where we look to remember the meaning of the term genocide and the conditions that drove a lawyer named Raphael Lemkin to coin this term to describe a horrific crime — a crime that prior to 1944 lacked a name and legal repercussions.

By understanding the meaning of the term genocide and the human suffering to which it refers, our students will be able to use it with care while appreciating the need to wrestle with our obligations towards those victimized by a range of human rights violations.

Impact Story

by Jen Langley

Apr 22, 2022

Facing History Sr. Director of Marketing & Analytics Jen Langley reflects on her personal connection to the Armenian Genocide.

Crimes Against Humanity and Civilization: The Genocide of The Armenians cover.

Featured Resource

by Kaitlin Smith

Apr 16, 2022

In response to the outpouring of discussion and debate following President Biden’s statement that Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine constitutes genocide, Facing History provides five reads to address crucial questions educators and their students may be asking.

Bouquet of flowers wrapped in purple fabric placed on monument.

Featured Resource

by Kaitlin Smith

Apr 13, 2022

Facing History grants educators the opportunity to take advantage of five virtual tours, exhibitions, and professional development resources to navigate the challenges that arise when teaching about genocide.

Featured Resource

by Kaitlin Smith

Apr 11, 2022

Facing History identifies six books that elevate understudied aspects of multiple historical genocides and the connections between them to aid efforts of genocide prevention within a global climate of rising hate.

Cropped Messengers of Disaster: Raphael Lemkin, Jan Karski, and Twentieth Century Genocides book cover.

Featured Resource

by Facing History Staff

Apr 5, 2024

In accordance with Genocide Awareness Month, Facing History offers eight classroom resources educators can utilize to help their students think critically about the specific historical and contemporary conditions under which genocides occurred to effectively unite head, heart, and conscience.

Stock photo of zoomed in on hands using laptop.

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Nov 26, 2021

Learn about the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, one of many grassroots efforts dedicated to healing the lasting wounds inflicted by residential schools and cultural genocide of Native peoples.

Still of jessie baird from We Still Live Here - Âs Nutayuneân (Makepeace Productions, 2011).

Insight

by Julia Rappaport

Nov 3, 2014

Facing History informs readers on the history of the term "genocide."

The term "genocide" is highlighted in a dictionary.

Featured Resource

by Kaitlin Smith

Oct 30, 2023

Below are 18 resources that middle and high school teachers can turn to when developing lesson plans related to the roles of Native American peoples in American history and contemporary life. These resources include online exhibitions at the Smithsonian; the Smithsonian’s Native Knowledge 360° Educational Initiative; the work of the Mitchell and Hood Museums; and the growing work of Facing History in these thematic areas.

Three members of the Sioux tribe pose in Indian Village, 1898.

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Explore how we can engage with the history of armed conflict, reflecting on how and who we choose to remember, and how we can make the lessons of history feel relevant today.

A student cuts a sheet of paper in a classroom at Skinners' Academy in Londonn

Community Event

On-Demand

Virtual

Join us for a special discussion of three-part documentary series The U.S. and the Holocaust, featuring director Sarah Botstein.

Boston Educator Attends an Event (FH153301).

Insight

by Jessica Weingartner

Apr 12, 2023

Benjamin Ferencz helped convict 22 Nazis at the Nuremberg trials and advocated tirelessly to end crimes against humanity.

Former Chief Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz

Professional Learning

On-Demand

Virtual

Join Facing History and the Fortunoff Video Archive to explore ways to use archival testimony to connect students to the lived experiences of survivors.

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Defining Genocide: The Attempt to Name and Prevent a Horrific Crime

About this event:

Key Points

You might also be interested in…

Why Genocide Recognition Matters

5 Timely Reads on Genocide

5 Tools for Teaching About Genocide

6 New Books on Genocide

8 Classroom Resources on Genocide

The Power of Native Language Revitalization

Where Did the Word "Genocide" Come From?

18 Teacher Resources on Native American History and Culture

Remembering Past Conflicts: Whose Experiences Do We Honour?

Exploring The U.S. and the Holocaust, a Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein

A Life Dedicated to Ending Genocide

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Donate now and together we'll build a better world

Defining Genocide: The Attempt to Name and Prevent a Horrific Crime

About this event:

Key Points

You might also be interested in…

Why Genocide Recognition Matters

5 Timely Reads on Genocide

5 Tools for Teaching About Genocide

6 New Books on Genocide

8 Classroom Resources on Genocide

The Power of Native Language Revitalization

Where Did the Word "Genocide" Come From?

18 Teacher Resources on Native American History and Culture

Remembering Past Conflicts: Whose Experiences Do We Honour?

Exploring The U.S. and the Holocaust, a Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein

A Life Dedicated to Ending Genocide

The Art of Listening – Video Testimony and the Study of History

Donate now and together we'll build a better world

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