World History/Global Studies Archives

Promises

Film. Written and directed by Justine Shapiro, B. Z. Goldberg, and Carlos Bolado. 2001. 106 minutes.
This documentary explores the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from the eyes and experiences of Israeli and Palestinian children living in the West Bank.

“I Think the Word Is Dignity” — Rachel Corrie’s Letters from Gaza

Letters to her family from 23-year-old U.S. peace activist Rachel Corrie, who was killed in 2003 while trying to prevent the Israeli army from destroying homes in the Gaza Strip. Followed by questions by Bill Bigelow for classroom discussion.

Ten Myths About Israel

Book. By Ilan Pappe. An Israeli historian examines the most contested ideas concerning the origins and identity of the contemporary state of Israel.

Gabriel Flores' ceiling mural at the Castillo de Chapultepec depicts Juan Escutia leaping from the castle walls to his death, wrapped in the Mexican flag in order to prevent the flag from falling into enemy (U.S.) hands.

Sept. 13, 1847: Los Niños Héroes of the U.S. Mexico War

The Niños Héroes (translated as Boy Heroes or Heroic Cadets) were six military cadets killed in the Battle of Chapultepec, one of the last battles of the U.S. Mexico War.

July 8, 1871: Mass Protest for Land Conservation in London

Determined to prevent the development of the local forest, Londoners protested to “Save The Forest” in an early instance of mass organizing for land conservation.

The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel’s Public Relations War in the United States

Film. Directed by Loretta Alper and Jeremy Earp. Media Education Foundation. 2016. Three versions: 21 min./45 min./84 min.
This film helps students recognize how the media and politicians consistently frame “Palestinian resistance as terrorism and Israeli aggression as self-defense.”

Israelism

Film. Directed by Erin Axelman and Sam Eilertsen. Tikkun Olam Productions. 2023. 84 minutes.
Examines young Jews who are fundamentally changing not just their attitudes about Israel, Palestine, and Palestinians, but about their own role in the world, and coming to see themselves as solidarity activists.

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017

Book — Non-fiction. By Rashid Khalidi. 2020. 320 pages.
Examines the modern history of Palestine as a colonial war waged against an Indigenous population in order to force them to unwillingly relinquish their homelands.

Ida in the Middle

Book — Fiction. By Nora Lester Murad. Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove. 2022. 223 pages.
A coming of age story that explores identity, place, voice, and belonging through a Palestinian-American girl named Ida.

July 7, 1912: Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Gold for U.S.

Jim Thorpe was the first Native American to win Olympic gold for team U.S.A.

When the Mapou Sings

Book — Fiction. By Nadine Pinede. 2024. 432 pages.
This story blends first love and political intrigue with a quest for justice and self-determination in 1930s Haiti.

Black Power and Palestine: Transnational Countries of Color

Book — Non-fiction. By Michael R. Fischbach. 2018. 296 pages.
Explores the connections between organizers of the Black Freedom Struggle and those struggling for Palestinian autonomy.

Visualizing Palestine: A Chronicle of Colonialism and the Struggle for Liberation

Book — Non-fiction. Created by Visualizing Palestine and edited by Jessica Anderson, Aline Batarseh, and Yosra El Gazzar. 2024. 392 pages.
A graphic and student-friendly portrayal of Palestinian social reality in book form.

Teaching Palestine: Lessons, Stories, Voices

Teaching Guide. Edited by Bill Bigelow, Jesse Hagopian, Suzanna Kassouf, Adam Sanchez, and Samia Shoman. 2025.
Provides educators with powerful tools to uncover the history and current context of Palestine-Israel in the classroom.

The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots

Book — Non-fiction. By John Swanson Jacobs. 2024. 288 pages.
A first-person narrative of the enslaved, lost for 169 years, now reproduced in full.

Understanding Palestine & Israel

Book — Non-fiction. By Phyllis Bennis. 2025. 240 pages.
Answers to commonly asked questions about Palestine and Israel, written in popularly accessible language.

March 13, 1979: The Grenada Revolution

Grenada’s prime minister Eric Gairy was ousted in a coup organized by the New Jewel Movement and led by Maurice Bishop.

NECESSITY: A Two-Part Documentary Series on Climate Resistance

Films. Directed by Jan Haaken and Samantha Praus. 58 minutes & 57 minutes.
Oil, Water, and Climate Resistance explores the work of attorneys, valve turners, and other water protectors in Minnesota. Climate Justice and the Thin Green Line examines climate resistance in the Pacific Northwest.