The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit organization that assists educators in teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide, by developing and distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching resources and organizing educational workshops.

The Armenian Genocide (1915-1923) was the first modern genocide of the Twentieth Century. The perpetrator of this crime against humanity was the Ottoman Government. Using different types of mass extermination practices, including forced marches, 1.5 million Armenians were murdered. Prior to World War I, approximately three million Armenians were living in Western Armenia (Anatolia) and had resided there for over three thousand years.

Those who survived were forced into exile and have never been able to return. An entire people, and their history, were virtually erased within years.

Today, the Turkish Government actively denies the Armenian Genocide. Israel Charny, the Editor of the Encyclopedia of Genocide explains that “the denial of genocide is a form of aggression. It continues the process of genocide. It strives to reshape history in order to rehabilitate the perpetrators and demonize the victims. It prevents healing of the wounds inflicted by genocide. Denying genocide is the final stage of genocide—it murders the dignity of the survivors and destroys the remembrance of the crime.”

Since the beginning of the Twentieth Century millions of people from all corners of the world have perished in genocides. Despite the continuation of genocide, we, as a global community, have no solutions for stopping this ongoing tragedy whether it is the Hereros or those in Darfur.

Nicole’s Journey provides a background to the history of the Armenian Genocide and the effects of the denial of the Genocide on subsequent generations. Nicole’s real life journey illustrates the continued pain that genocide brings and the fortitude of those searching for truth.

This tutorial can be used in a variety of ways. The readings and assignments are geared toward high school students but mature middle school students may be able to also successfully complete the tutorial.

The purpose to the tutorial is to provide a background on the history of the Armenian Genocide and its effects on subsequent generations of survivors. This is a purely an introductory unit. For more lesson plans on the Armenian Genocide go to www.TeachGenocide.com.

The tutorial is divided into five sections. Each section includes an assignment composed of short answer questions and a writing-based assignment. Students can be instructed to complete only certain assignments depending on the length of time they are required to spend working on the tutorial.