The Power of Images: Enhancing Learning Outcomes in a History of Photography Course Through an Understanding of Genocide and the Refugee Experience

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the impact of integrating the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)/Kupferberg Holocaust Center (KHC) Colloquium Series, “Fleeing Genocide: Displacement, Exile, and the Refugee,” into a History of Photography course. By aligning the course learning outcomes with one event, and studying materials on war, conflict, and refugees, I aimed to instill in my students a sense of empathy, an understanding of the refugee experience, and a desire to act as twenty-first-century citizens. To assess the impact and student learning associated with this addition to my curriculum, students wrote pre-/post-reflection papers on their understanding of the global refugee crisis. Students’ responses indicate an increased appreciation for the role images play in our society and an expanded understanding of the complex issues surrounding genocide, displacement, and the refugee experience.

Appendix: Poetry, Essay, Podcast, and Resource Recommendations for Students in Formal Writing Components

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