Torture on Trial
Project Handout
Chemistry/Humanities Content Requirements
Project Binder Contents
Project Overview
Students will investigate the history of torture and the experience of trauma as the result of the actions of other human beings in the context of war and political persecution. They will first explore their own personal stories of survival, and then learn about systems of justice and punishment, the role of chemistry as an instrument of suffering and destruction, and the experiences of torture survivors. The team will then work collaboratively to bring to justice the perpetrators of torture in four historical case studies through a series of Torture on Trial.
United Nations definition of torture (Convention Against Torture, Article 1.1):
Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
Essential Questions
Chemistry Questions
Concepts and Skills
Concepts
Skills
Product
Dia de los Muertos Trial Times
4:30 - 5:15 pm JOHN ALDEN v. THOMAS PUTNAM
5:15 - 6:00 pm LEAGUE OF NATIONS v. MUSSOLINI
6:00 - 6:45 pm VIETNAM v. UNITED STATES
6:45 - 7:30 pm ABU GHRAIB v. UNITED STATES
Reference Texts: Flatland, The Poisoner's Handbook
Challenge Readings: Flatterland, The Shock Doctrine
Chemistry/Humanities Content Requirements
Project Binder Contents
Project Overview
Students will investigate the history of torture and the experience of trauma as the result of the actions of other human beings in the context of war and political persecution. They will first explore their own personal stories of survival, and then learn about systems of justice and punishment, the role of chemistry as an instrument of suffering and destruction, and the experiences of torture survivors. The team will then work collaboratively to bring to justice the perpetrators of torture in four historical case studies through a series of Torture on Trial.
United Nations definition of torture (Convention Against Torture, Article 1.1):
Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.
Essential Questions
- Are humans the real instruments of torture? Is torture ever justified?
- How can we practice resilience, reclaim strength, and celebrate vitality?
- What does it mean to be a "survivor"?
Chemistry Questions
- How has chemistry been used as an instrument of torture?
- How do those uses reveal the duality of human nature?
Concepts and Skills
Concepts
- Poisons and toxins
- Chemical weapons of mass destruction
- Chemistry of special effects
- The philosophy of “fairness” in various cultures
- Historical abuses and misuses of justice
- The evolution of moral perspectives on the use of torture
- Arguments both for and against the use of torture in war and peace
Skills
- Efficiently focus internet research
- Effectively divide, and delegate tasks as a group
- Propose, design, and manage a project schedule
- Write personalized family narratives
- Formulate and articulate well-constructed arguments on both sides of the debate on the use of torture
Product
- Mock Trial - Each cohort will prosecute a perpetrator of torture from a historical case study in an effort to explore the realities of their assigned time period. Students will construct coherent arguments on both sides of the issue, which will be performed as a mock trial during exhibition complete with prosecution and defense teams, evidence, and witnesses.
Dia de los Muertos Trial Times
4:30 - 5:15 pm JOHN ALDEN v. THOMAS PUTNAM
5:15 - 6:00 pm LEAGUE OF NATIONS v. MUSSOLINI
6:00 - 6:45 pm VIETNAM v. UNITED STATES
6:45 - 7:30 pm ABU GHRAIB v. UNITED STATES
Reference Texts: Flatland, The Poisoner's Handbook
Challenge Readings: Flatterland, The Shock Doctrine