Origins Exercises

One page handout on some causes of immigration, US foreign economic policy

Allow at least 1 hour
 

Questions to spur in depth discussion on international trade policies and their effect on communities on either side, warning: should only be used after thorough education on globalization

Allow at least 45 minutes
 

Article in Sojourners immigration discussion guide on national hospitality, written within the Christian tradition

Allow at least 30 minutes for discussion
 

In this video learners will be introduced to the historical roots of racism and white supremacy.  Building onto the previously learned concept that race is a social construct they will see how the idea of race was constructed to restrict the rights of certain kinds of people in the beginning and growing years of the United States

Allow at least 2 hours
 

Documentary about the recent history of the country of Guatemala starting in the 1940’s to present and profiling a community that has organized to work their way out of the poverty that pervades the nation.

Allow at least 1.5 hours
 

“30 Days” is a television series where individuals spend a month living a life foreign to them.  In this episode, Chris, a laid off computer programmer, spends 30 days as an outsourced worker that he lost his job to.

Allow 50 minutes for viewing and at least 30 for discussion
 

Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian practice where passages of scripture are read and participants reflect on the meaning that occurs to them.  This practice can be easily adapted to other traditions using readings from that tradition.

Allow at least 20-30 minutes.
 

Put on an educational forum for your community on the effects of globalization around the world, highlighting the role that it plays in immigration.

Use the systematic racism worksheet to address unjust practices in your own community.  Participants first need to be taught what the systematic racism worksheet is and how to use it.

Walks learners through developing their own guidelines for how their learning community will operate out of their own resources and experiences.  These guidelines will establish how the classroom will operate and how learners will approach the materials and each other.  Should be done in the first session of any significant learning experience.

Allow at least 45 minutes – 1 hour