Educator Workshops

The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies supports educators through workshops and seminars facilitated by leading experts in Holocaust and genocide education. Through these workshops, we develop and distribute a myriad of resources for teaching age-appropriate lessons about the Holocaust and genocide.

Below is the information for our upcoming workshop: 

Building Bridges of Understanding:

Practical Approaches to Genocide Education 

2024 Fall Education Workshop Series

(All times are Central)

Monday, October 14 (Virtual)

Teaching the US-Dakota War Through Minnesota’s Newspapers

with Joe Eggers

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 

The 1862 US-Dakota War is a pivotal moment in Minnesota history. Long framed as “lost” in the midst of the American Civil War, the reality is that the six-week war has always been a part of Minnesota’s collective consciousness. By examining newspapers, we can uncover how Minnesotans have remembered, or in some cases, chosen not to remember, the events of 1862. 

Beyond the events of the war, though, newspapers provide an excellent and accessible primary source for students in the classroom. This workshop session highlights approaches to using newspapers to help students understand media and language through the lens of the 1862 war but can be applied to teaching other aspects of history.

Register here  

Saturday, November 16 (Virtual)

Unpacking Films in Your Classroom

Cora Cuenca Navarrette 

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Using films to teach about genocide is crucial because it provides a visceral, emotional experience through unique to visual mediums. Films can bring historical events to life through personal stories, visuals, and sound, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the human cost of mass violence. But can we do more than show films in the classroom? In this workshop session, Cora Cuenca Navarrette will walk participants through how to use films in the classrooms that go beyond the film itself and help unpack narratives, characters, and themes we might have overlooked. 

Register here

Thursday, November 21 (Virtual)

Using Graphic Novels and Memoirs in Holocaust Education

with Erin L. Smith

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

How can a visual medium be used in the classroom, especially when it is by its nature, well, graphic? The first and most well-known graphic novel history of the Holocaust is Art Speigelman’s Maus. Since its publication, numerous other graphic novels, graphic memoirs, and comic books have addressed victims and survivors of the Holocaust. This workshop will walk through some of the available resources in English, focusing on level-setting and linking the resources to the classroom alongside a discussion of the benefits and pitfalls of the medium in an educational setting. 

Register here
For information on other upcoming opportunities and events, please sign up to receive the CHGS Newsletter.
For educational resources, please see our Holocaust and Genocide Education pages.
"I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for the workshop. I gained knowledge of the topics, as well as teaching strategies. It was also very momentous because I had never had the opportunity to meet a survivor and hear part of their story.”
—Participant in "The Holocaust in European Memory" summer institute
“I have taken 5+ workshops through the UofM, many on the topic of genocide. Each one has been unique and full of great resources and amazing presenters."
—Participant in "Genocide in Africa: Darfur and Rwanda" summer institute