Rather than working chronologically through units in the IBDP Psychology curriculum, I have chosen to build the class around various themes. This lesson is an introduction a theme that I have created for the course. The biggest benefit of a thematic approach to psychology is making the curriculum more relevant to students, driving them to think like psychologists. Furthermore, a thematic approach also assists students in critically examining psychology research, which is essential for success on the IBDP Psychology examination.

Below is a series of videos that introduces "The Refugee Experience." This theme focuses primarily on social psychology, but also incorporates aspects of abnormal psychology and biology. I follow up this video series with small group discussions driven by guiding questions. Finally, I assess individual student engagement through a reflective writing activity.

The whole process takes about three 75-minute lessons.

Here is the lesson:

Small Group Discussion

After students have watched the videos above, they will discuss the following questions in small groups. You will notice that the questions gradually become more open-ended, allowing for deeper thinking. For questions that drive the deepest discussions, the conversation is opened to the whole class.

These questions have been adapted from https://www.globalonenessproject.org/lessons/refugees-story.

1. What is Mohammed’s occupation?

2. Where is Mohammed’s family?

3. How many years has Mohammed been separated from his family?

Based on the photographic evidence, Human Rights Watch estimates that 6,786 individuals died in Syrian detention centers or hospitals run by the Syrian government between May 2011 and August 2013...

4. ... What happened to Mohammed at the first of five detention centers where he was imprisoned?

5. Using the film as evidence, make a list of some of the challenges the Syrian refugees are facing as they relocate to Canada

6. How does Mohammed assist the refugees with his job at the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia (ISSofBC)?

According to Mohammed, each Syrian family is thinking about family members left behind. “This is something that I can relate to on a personal level because of the situation with my family,” Mohammed said.

7. Describe the relationship that Mohammed has with the refugees that he assists.

8. How does Mohammed’s personal experience aid and impact his ability to support recently arrived refugees?

9. In the film, what role does technology play in the refugees’ lives?

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, when asked about welcoming Syrian refugees to Canada in a 2015 interview, said

“This is something that we are able to do in this country because we define a Canadian not by a skin color or a language or a religion or a background, but by a shared set of values, aspirations, hopes and dreams that not just Canadians but people around the world share.”

10. What do you think Trudeau means by a “shared set of values”?

11. How does Mohammed live by a set of values?

12. Do you think that we, as humans, have a moral responsibility to respond to other humans in need during a humanitarian crisis? Why or why not?

13. How might a politician or a world leader respond to this question?

14. What do you find most compelling about Mohammed’s story?

15. Do you think his story, told through the medium of a short documentary film, might provide an important way for people to learn about the Syrian conflict from a humanistic perspective? Why or why not?