Unit Overview for Grades 11-12


Lesson Instructional Focus
Lesson One: War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity

Students use excerpts from various agreements, including the Geneva conventions, the Hague conventions, United Nations conventions, and the Charter of International Military Tribunal, to understand legal definitions and responsibilities related to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Lesson Two: Nanking Massacre and Other Atrocities

Students investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity com­mitted by the Japanese Imperial Army to identify which international agreements were breached. Students express personal views aboutthe crimes of war.
Lesson Three: Canadian Hong Kong Veterans Students investigate the treatment of Canadian Hong Kong prisoners of war and the war crimes committed by the Japanese Imperial Army. Students identify which international agreements were breached. They differentiate between civilian and military victim and make explicit the connection to Canada.
Lesson Four: International Law, Reconciliation, and Redress Through the vehicle of a mock justice tribunal, students weigh evidence provided to determine whether Japan has settled its obligations with regard to war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Japanese Imperial forces.
Lesson Five: Making a Difference Students respond to a topic that will cause them to reflect upon individual and collective responsibility for preventing war crimes and crimes against humanity.



Resources and Handouts Suggested Time
Handout 1.1 (War Crimes and International Law) 60 minutes
Handout 2.1 (Timeline of Origins and Events of the Asia-Pacific War)

Handout 2.2 (Rape of Nanking and Other Atrocities)

60-90 minutes
Handout 3.1 (Canadian Prisoners of War)

Handout 3.2 (Response Guide for Canadian Prisoners of War)
60-90 minutes
Handout 4.1 (Organizing a Mock Justice Tribunal)

Handout 4.2 (What Victims and Survivors Want)

Handout 4.3 (International Agreements Related to Compensation Claims)

Handout 4.4 (Japan's Responses)
60-120 minutes
Handout 5.1 (Unit Self-Assessment) 60 minutes