Peer Review

A radical experiment in empathy

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Overview:: This is a video lecture by Sociologist Sam Richards. He shares hypothetical situations to provide a different perspective on why someone might be an Iraqi insurgent. He creates a thought experiment that asks Americans to understand the motivations of an Iraqi insurgent, to demonstrate the importance of empathy in the development of a sociological imagination.
Type of Material:: Video Presentation – TedX Talk by Sam Richards
Recommended Uses:: The talk could be used to exemplify concepts such as the sociological imagination, global empathy, colonialism, imperialism, religious conflict, militarism, recent (1990- ) history, and political science. Assignment for in-class or homework followed by a facilitated discussion about empathy and cultural differences
Technical Requirements:: Streaming/YouTube. Used Microsoft edge and google chrome to review.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: To build empathy for other cultures; to practice being in someone else’s shoes
Target Student Population:: High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Some awareness of cultural differences and what empathy is; streaming video access required

Rating:
Strengths:: The lecture is immediately engaging. It is an emotional exercise that helps develop an academic concept. Engaging video images and clear lecture content with tangible examples.
Concerns:: The info can be tough to watch. It is important to make space for discussion and processing of the content if used for a class or course.

Rating:
Strengths:: The video and talk are very engaging.
Concerns:: As we get farther from the most recent Iraq war it may be progressively harder for students to understand the context. His initial explanation of colonialism through an alternative universe might be too complex for some students. There is no question guide or discussion template to support learning.

Rating:
Strengths:: Includes a transcript linked to the video that helps follow the concepts and enables navigating to different sections.
Concerns:: It would be helpful to include a discussion guide or questions for teachers to lead a conversation about the video content.

Other Issues and Comments:: It would be best used at the beginning of an introductory Sociology course.
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