Join us for a powerful five-day History + ELA camp built around They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. Students should arrive having finished the book, ready to dive into meaningful discussion about World War II, Japanese American incarceration, and how personal stories shape history.
This five-day camp blends history and literary analysis in a focused, discussion-based format designed for thoughtful middle and high school readers.
Students should arrive on the first day having fully read They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. Our first meeting will center on the memoir itself — examining voice, perspective, the power of graphic storytelling, and how personal memory shapes narrative. We’ll discuss identity, citizenship, childhood resilience, and the emotional impact of seeing history through one person’s lived experience.
On day two, we widen the lens to explore the historical context: World War II and the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans under Executive Order 9066. Students will learn about the legal framework, the camps themselves, public opinion at the time, and how fear, racism, and wartime propaganda influenced national policy.
The final three days bring literature and history together. Students will analyze how the memoir reflects documented events, discuss how graphic narrative builds empathy and immediacy, and consider how personal testimony can challenge official narratives. We’ll explore the tension between national security and civil liberties and examine how storytelling preserves memory.
This is a camp-style class: five 45-minute meetings held in a single week. The concentrated schedule allows for sustained, layered discussion while remaining focused and age-appropriate.
The class is led by historian and educator Nelson Dean, who specializes in presenting complex historical moments with nuance, clarity, and humanity. Students can expect thoughtful dialogue, strong historical framing, and an environment where respectful questions and critical thinking are encouraged.
Because this is a discussion-based seminar, students must complete the book before the first meeting in order to fully participate.
This camp is ideal for readers who care about history, justice, and the power of individual voices to shape how we understand the past.
Students should come to class the first day having completed the book. No additional knowledge of WWII or Japanese Interment ahead of time is required!
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