An Experimental Investigation of Holocaust Educational Impacts on Students' Civic Attitudes and Behaviors

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Global and National Civics in Social Studies

Abstract

Holocaust education has the potential to provide students with incredible civic learning opportunities. However, there is a shortage of empirical evidence of the effects from these social studies learning experiences. We have conducted a randomized controlled trial of a school-sponsored Holocaust museum fieldtrip with 865 secondary school-aged students across 15 campuses. We find that an enriching Holocaust educational experience significantly increases student support for civil liberties in addition to their historical content knowledge about the events surrounding the Holocaust. These findings support the assertions of social studies curriculum and instruction scholars that these history lessons serve a vital role in promoting civic learning outcomes that are critical for preparing students to be effective stewards of a democratic, pluralistic society.

Authors

• Daniel Henry Bowen, Texas A&M University

• Brian Kisida, University of Missouri

• Anna J. Egalite, North Carolina State University