The Bosnian Genocide through Visual Analysis, Photojournalism and Art – Photography & Historical Witnessing

Organization: Avenues for Change: Holocaust & Genocide Education
Common Core Domain: English Language Arts/Literacy, History-Social Science, Reading: Literacy in History and Social Studies, Speaking and Listening, Writing, Visual Arts: Responding, Arts - Media Arts
Grade Level: Grades 9-12. Adaptable for 8th grade.
Duration: 30-60 Minutes
2 lessons, 30 - 60 minutes teach
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.6, 9 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.1; 9-10.1, 4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9; 9-10.9 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1, 2, 9 CA.HSS.10.1 ELD.PI.10.1-8 8.MA:Re7a-b Acc.MA:Re8 VA:Pr6 VA:Re7.1-.2 MA:Re7-9 ISTE.1.3, 6 D2.His.1.9-12, 4.9-12, 12.9-12 D3.1.9-12, 2.9-12 D4.1.9-12

Lesson 1: Students examine photography as a form of historical witnessing and evidence by analyzing photographs from multiple historical contexts, including the Bosnian Genocide. Through discussion, written reflection, source analysis, and comparison of photojournalists and historians, students investigate how photographs shape historical narratives and public understanding of events. Students evaluate primary sources and consider questions of perspective, reliability, and responsibility in visual media, culminating in a reflection on the ethical responsibilities of creating and consuming images in an increasingly digital world. Lesson 2: Students analyze photographs related to the Bosnian Genocide, using artistic and historical vocabulary to evaluate how photojournalists document events and shape historical narratives. Through discussion, written analysis, video viewing, and source comparison, students examine the work of Paul Lowe and other photographers, investigate photography as historical evidence, and create a photojournalism project focused on a historical or current event.

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