explain what we can learn about what causes and what best prevents genocide—or to explain how survivors are affected by genocide and what helps them recover.

In , we read about the role of stereotype threat in access to education and the role of identity threat in barriers between people.  And we have read about genocide: by Simon Wiesenthal, by Paul Rusesabagina, “The Life After” by Philip Gourevitch from , and three articles from scholarly journals.  We have also watched the films; about a Holocaust paper clips project in rural Tennessee; about Simon Wiesenthal; about a Hutu’s efforts to save Tutsis; as well as the documentaries and . This essay assignment requires you to draw upon and to explain what we can learn about what causes and what best prevents genocide—or to explain how survivors are affected by genocide and what helps them recover.   Using the readings and films about Rwanda and Germany that our class has studied, explain the causes of genocide as well as the strengths and limitations of specific strategies to prevent future genocides.  To begin brainstorming about this essay option, consider Elihu Richter’s “Genocide: Can We Predict, Prevent and Protect?” and Ervin Staub’s Genocide and Mass Killings: Origins, Prevention, Healing and Reconciliation.”   Think about the importance of bystanders, the Paper Clips Project, forgiveness versus justice, and the effectiveness of truth and reconciliation.  Be sure to integrate what you learned about identity threat into your discussion of prevention.