Statement of Faith-Based Teaching and Learning

The Great War killed 10 millions of soldiers in combat, 20 million when

it combined with civilians, and 37 million when it refers all combination of
soldiers, civilians and people who died from the Spanish Flu during the time
of war. The Great War was fueled by the assassination Francis Ferdinand who
was the heir of Austria Hungary. He was killed by Serbian nationalist on
Serbians Independence Day. This small local conflict drew countries around
the globe through alliance system, and imperialism. Although there are
various factors, including militarism, alliance system, industrialization,
imperial rivalry, nationalism, etc., I am asking the very fundamental question
about this drastic event that massacred 37 millions of people. In my
fundamental belief, I am accusing the depravity of human as the main cause
of this event. This belief is based on my Christian belief that all human are
fallen and deprave, doing own good in our own eyes. This lesson includes the
reactions of countries, and how countries are acting on their own interests,
including the United States. The alliance system, Treaty of Versailles, Treaty
of St. Germain and treaty of Trianon reflect states own interest, particularly
the countries in super-power. For more evidence, students will look at the
photographs of Armenian genocide, and will be reading the primary sources
by photograph Wegner. By analyzing this issue, I try to lead students to see
the depravity of human being, the ultimate destruction and selfishness.
Thus, it is showing the ultimate fall of human nature (Which is my Christian
belief).

At the same time, there is also contradicting side of human, the

goodness of humanity. I believe that this is because human are still bearing
the image of God. People who are sacrificing their life for countrys cause,
volunteering their time and effort to remade the destructions, and despite illtreatment and discrimination, who insisted to show patriotism during the
time of countrys struggle. Students may remember these people as male
soldiers, generals, historical evidence proves that this group of people also
include women and minority groups in the United States. Often times, these
minority groups are forgotten, and ignored, yet I believe that it is very
important to recognize these people who contributed to countrys effort.
Historically, these people were often ignored, or got little attention. Still a lot
of history textbooks just have few statement about their role, which mostly
refer to the home front work. Thus, in my teaching pedagogy, I put an article
about women in the Word War I which include womens effort and sacrifices.
Students will read the article in class and come up with research topics. They
could write about women in World War I, African-American people during the
World War I, etc. In this way, I open up the opportunity for students to think
about their own perspective about this issue by doing self-research.
Ultimately, this lesson will help students to think about humanity, and
God. Through the lesson, students will learn about the fallen nature, and
depravity. At the same time, students will encounter the other side, which is
the goodness. Human are still bearing the image of God, which reflected
upon on the sacrifice of people. In my Christian belief, restoring the image of

God in us is one of the processes in Christs salvation. Realizing the sinful

nature of human, yet also acknowledging that we are still the image bearer
of God, will give a glimpse of hope. Students, as image bearers of God, will
ultimately be asked a question of things that they could do to restore peace
in destruction.