During the Torture on Trial project we investigated the history of torture and the experience of trauma as the result of the actions of other human beings in the context of war and political persecution. We have learned about systems of justice and punishment, the role of chemistry as an instrument of suffering and destruction, and the experiences of torture survivors. The 55 students on our team are divided into 4 different groups called cohorts. Each cohort has a different case study from different time periods and we are working together to research our case. There was a total of four groups whose mock trials were on Mussolini in Fascist Italy, Agent Orange in Vietnam, War on Terror, and Salem Witch Trials.
My cohort chose the late 20th century. My group researched all about and became experts on Agent Orange. We knew what it was , the effects it had , and what the long term effects are. We found the two most important people involved with the Agent Orange in Vietnam. Our case study is about Agent Orange in Vietnam. Just like in the real world we were assigned real courtroom roles. We had prosecution, defense lawyers, witnesses, a bailiff, defendant, plaintiff, clerk, and judge.The trial is Arthur Galston vs. William Westmoreland, the creator of Agent Orange against a United States Army general, who commanded U.S. military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak.
The lead attorneys are in charge of their side of the case.They make sure that everything that needs to get done, does. People ask them questions when they need help. The opening statement is supposed to be very dramatic and open the case. It leads the way to let the jury know there are still two sides to the case. In my group I am the lead defense attorney and I wrote and said the opening statement. I looked up and found maps, websites, documents. I helped all my group all stay on task. I made lead decisions to help my group move forward.
My cohort chose the late 20th century. My group researched all about and became experts on Agent Orange. We knew what it was , the effects it had , and what the long term effects are. We found the two most important people involved with the Agent Orange in Vietnam. Our case study is about Agent Orange in Vietnam. Just like in the real world we were assigned real courtroom roles. We had prosecution, defense lawyers, witnesses, a bailiff, defendant, plaintiff, clerk, and judge.The trial is Arthur Galston vs. William Westmoreland, the creator of Agent Orange against a United States Army general, who commanded U.S. military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak.
The lead attorneys are in charge of their side of the case.They make sure that everything that needs to get done, does. People ask them questions when they need help. The opening statement is supposed to be very dramatic and open the case. It leads the way to let the jury know there are still two sides to the case. In my group I am the lead defense attorney and I wrote and said the opening statement. I looked up and found maps, websites, documents. I helped all my group all stay on task. I made lead decisions to help my group move forward.
Excerpts from Final Project Binder
Reflection
In my trial we proved that humans are not the main instruments of torture but they will do whatever they have to even if it means hurting others to protect our soldiers. Based on the outcome of The Agent Orange trial, it is shown that in some cases certain things are justified but spraying agent orange was not used to torture anyone. In the family of survivors we showed many cases where our own family members have overcome difficulties throughout their life. To be a survivor mean to carry on despite hardships or trauma. To persevere and never give up. We have shared the stories and have shown all the resilient people in our own lives.
I am very proud of the first mini-project we did. To start off the project we interviewed family survivors. I wrote mine on my cousin Cassandra Johnson. It really inspired me and made me realize how thankful I am. I enjoyed talking to her. I already knew most of what she told me but I still learned new things.
Something I found difficult was the Flatland reading. I don’t really enjoy reading too much in the first place and Flatland is kinda hard to follow. I like doing the socratic seminars because I hear other peoples opinion and how they view the book. It helps me understand more because I can ask them questions too.
When we were told that we would no longer be building the torture instruments it made me remember the projects from last year that didn’t work out. Some of them aren’t the best memories so it scared me. I was disappointed but I knew the way I acted would impact other people too so I was calm about it. I believe that I was thinking forward. When it was time to really dig into the trial I was helping people understand better and explain we can make this fun too.
I am very proud of the first mini-project we did. To start off the project we interviewed family survivors. I wrote mine on my cousin Cassandra Johnson. It really inspired me and made me realize how thankful I am. I enjoyed talking to her. I already knew most of what she told me but I still learned new things.
Something I found difficult was the Flatland reading. I don’t really enjoy reading too much in the first place and Flatland is kinda hard to follow. I like doing the socratic seminars because I hear other peoples opinion and how they view the book. It helps me understand more because I can ask them questions too.
When we were told that we would no longer be building the torture instruments it made me remember the projects from last year that didn’t work out. Some of them aren’t the best memories so it scared me. I was disappointed but I knew the way I acted would impact other people too so I was calm about it. I believe that I was thinking forward. When it was time to really dig into the trial I was helping people understand better and explain we can make this fun too.