The following lesson plan uses the historical thinking skills of comparative and cause and effect to analyze two historians' perspectives on the Rwandan genocide. Helen Epstein and Philip Gourevitch relate their perspectives about that African genocide and students are asked to analyze those points of view by noting the authors' theses and their use of evidence in support of their historical argument about those perspectives.
Those that teach AP® History and rigorous history courses understand that the national AP® exam and state social studies tests include multiple-choice questions (MC) and short-answer questions (SAQs) that use secondary sources like Epstein and Gourevitch to introduce those questions. Plus, the DBQ and LEQ also demand that students can develop a historical argument in support of a thesis. This comparative lesson module allows student to practice those skills.
John Maunu is a College Board AP® World History: Modern consultant who teaches summer workshops nationally. He is a co-moderator of the College Board® APWH: Modern Teacher Community and a Digital Resources Editor for the World History Connected Online Journal. He was an AP® European and World History teacher for many years and is currently an online consultant for AP® World History: Modern in Michigan. John has also been a Senior Reviewer and item writer for many editions of the AP® World History: Modern coursebook by AMSCO® (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020 editions).
