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Interview questions for High school Students who may have NOT yet heard Nina Speak

Jeremy Garsha, (5/5/03), used in interviews on May 14, 2003

  1. Introduction:

I am a History Major working with a Professor at UCSB. We are interested in how students learn history and how it becomes meaningful to them, especially the topic of Nazi Germany.

2. Icebreakers that elicit relevant background data:

    1. Word associations: Tell me what first pops into your mind when you hear- (name some of list- don’t ask any they mention for others)

Germany
Nazi
U-boot
Hitler
SS/Gestapo
Genocide
Concentration Camps
Holocaust

survivor
refugees
children and war
victims

Things going slowly? Then:
  1. What is the first historical event that you remember?
  2. If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be? Why?
  3. If you could go back in time, where and what time period would you visit? Why?
  1. Personal background: What would you say your Religion is (especially Jewish), Ethnicity (German, Swedish, Italian, Japanese, etc.), Veterans in the family?
  2. Casey Stuff: What has Mr. Roberts taught you so far. What sticks out the most (videos, etc.)? What was your project? Tell me about your project. Can you show me your project. Why did you use ____ imagery.
  3. Have you covered WWII in any of your other classes? English? What do you remember?
  4. The Interview:
    5.
    1. Try to think back…When was the first time you heard anything about the Nazi Germany [Holocaust]? (films, parents, books, school, museums, trips, …)
    2. Have you ever visited the LA Museum of Tolerance, the DC Museum, or any other museum related to the Holocaust? Did you go on a trip to Washington, D.C.? (IF YES: What was most striking, what do you remember? Did any survivors of relatives of survivors talk to you?)
    3. [Do you like to read books on your own? What kind of books do you like to read]
      Have you read any books about World War II or Nazi Germany, or the Holocaust (ex. Diary of Anne Frank; Weisel’s Night or Dawn, Primo Levi, Number the Stars)? Can you tell me anything specific about the story? Would you recommend the book to your friends? What was your reaction to the books; how did it make you feel.
    4. Do you watch the History Channel, A&E? What kind of shows?
      Do you remember/Have you seen any WWII or Holocaust related TV, Movies [Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Life is Beautiful?]
    5. Have you ever heard a witness from a historical event talk about it before (ex. Veterans in family, etc., Grand parents/parents talk about their childhood in the Cold War, etc.

    Any one talk about Nazi Germany/Holocaust?
    IF YES: Describe the Holocaust speaker that you heard: What do you remember about it, can you describe/talk about it?

    IF they heard Nina last year: they should describe as precisely they can, EVERYTHING that they remember. Start giving prompts if they draw a blank.

    Who were they? Where from? Any details really stick out (of hope or horror)?

  5. The Conclusion:
    6.
    1. What are your plans after graduation?

      2. If college: Where, what will you study. Any desire to take history classes? What kind of history? Any wish to learn more about the Holocaust/ Nazi Germany?

    2. Nina: What do you know about her? What do you want to ask her? Any expectations?
    3. Any questions you want to ask me?

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    Last updated May 21, 2003
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