Curriculum Units in Development

Haitian Revolution

HispaniolaAt the turn of the eighteenth century, the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue rose up against their colonial masters and established themselves as free and independent citizens of a new state. Upon declaring independence, Haiti claimed a singular place in world history. The country became the first independent nation in the Caribbean and the second democracy in the western hemisphere.

Haiti's was the only successful slave revolt in the history of the world. The effects of the Revolution stretch across time and place. It shook neighboring slave societies to the core and was the first in what became a centuries-long movement of decolonization across Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. Today, many scholars relate Haiti's current poverty to conditions that arose during and after the Revolution.

In April 2010, the Choices Program will publish a new curriculum about the Haitian Revolution. The readings will explore the creation of Saint-Domingue, one of the richest colonies in world history, and the ways in which Caribbean history was tied to events in Europe. The readings will help students consider important questions. What were the conditions on and off the island that contributed to Haiti's successful revolution? How did the Revolution mark a complete political, social, and economic transformation of pre-revolutionary society? What is the meaning of "freedom"? Why is it important to know about the Haitian Revolution today?

Human Rights

humanrightsOver the past several decades, human rights discourse has permeated international relations, creating a surge in treaties, institutions, and social movements centered on the concept. Yet while the general principle of human rights has been broadly accepted, human rights abuses persist and the intricacies of the subject remain hotly contested. What exactly constitutes human rights? Are these rights universal or culturally relative? How are they prioritized and implemented, and what action should be taken to protect them? These questions have significant implications for the policy decisions of governments and ultimately for the lives of individuals.

In 2010, Choices plans to publish a new curriculum on human rights. In this curriculum, students will examine the evolving role that human rights has played in international politics, drawing on case studies that illustrate important issues and milestones. Students will explore the current debate on the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy.