This inquiry leads students through an investigation of how we respond to the needs of refugee communities. With the example of King Najashi (in the 7th century Kingdom of Aksum, modern Eritrea), students an historical instance of a national leader extending compassion to a refugee community. Students examine contemporary examples of national leaders who do and do not demonstrate care to refugee or immigrant communities. To close the inquiry, students consider how local activist take actions related to refugee populations with the example late hip-hop artist and activist Nipsey Hussle whose father was an Eritrean refugee. By connecting a historical example to a modern context, students use world history to construct an argument and take informed action around the compelling question: When should refugees be allowed refuge?
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
When should refugees be allowed refuge?
Staging Question
Students construct a class definition of the concept pastoral care.
Who was King Najashi and what was his policy towards Muslim refugees?
Formative TasksDescribe King Najashi’s policy towards refugees and make inferences about the consequences.
Sourcesource A: “Key Dimensions in Abyssinia-Ottoman Relations,” The Journal of Pan-African Studies
Source B: A History of Ethiopia
Source C: The Life of Muhammad
How do contemporary world leaders’ policies reflect or reject Najashi’s approach?
Formative TasksWrite a paragraph that compares contemporary leaders’ policies with Najashi’s policies.
SourcesSource A: “Boris Johnson Is Shutting the Door on Child Refugees,” Foreign Policy
Source B: “Trump Cuts Refugee Cap…” Washington Post
What actions have community activists taken that reflect Najashi's approach?
Formative TasksConstruct an evidence-based claim that addresses the supporting question.
SourcesSource A: “Nipsey Hussle Had a Vision for South L.A.…” Los Angeles Times
Teachers and students select additional sources
Summative Performance Task
Argument: When should refugees be allowed refuge? Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, essay) that evaluates the way leaders care for refugees, using a lens of “pastoral care.” Use specific claims and relevant evidence from historical and contemporary sources, while acknowledging competing views.
Extension: Engage in a local indigenous deliberation (public deliberation) about policies towards refugee/immigrant communities.
Taking Informed Action
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