Artwork by Nadia Hafid
A multimodal curriculum for high school and college educators and students about the ongoing global impact of 9/11, focusing on the years 2001-2021.
September 11, 2001—and how the events of that day continue to shape our world—can be a difficult subject for any teacher, particularly in the United States. This project provides educators with materials and pathways to explore the ongoing consequences of 9/11 through critical inquiry and a social justice lens that situates anti-Muslim rhetoric and policy within a larger historical narrative. Created by a team of educators from the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with inter/national scholars, practitioners, and community activist leaders, we offer multiple entry points for educators working across an array of subjects to discuss Islamophobia, xenophobia, civil liberties, long-lasting wars, media and representation, and other topics. Our goal is to help students move beyond the headlines to deepen their understandings of the post-9/11 global context and continuing implications on a number of communities worldwide.
Who It’s For
- US and World History teachers
- High school students in grades 11 & 12
- First-year college students
Electives in: Cinema Studies, Contemporary Literature, Debate, Humanities, Journalism, Poetry, Popular Literature, Asian Studies, Ethnic Studies, Civics, Current Events, Political Science, US Government, Women's Studies, International Relations, Visual Art, Digital Media
Sensitive Content
A note to educators:
A number of the topics that this curriculum covers may be emotionally demanding for students. Some lessons will challenge students’ worldviews, while others might cause discomfort, especially for students from impacted communities. As educators, we believe that some of the best learning happens outside of one’s comfort zone; that being said, it is imperative for educators to approach these topics with sensitivity so as not to reinforce stereotypes or create tensions within groups of students or foster disinformation. Understanding who the students in your class are and the context of their lives will help prevent misunderstandings and better inform learning. We provide resources on how to introduce complex and emotionally challenging material to students and encourage educators/facilitators to look through these ideas before introducing these lessons.