Teaching History, Celebrating Nationalism: School History Education in Poland

This book explores the relationship between history education and nationalism in Poland, examining how teachers understand the aims of history teaching and how they teach history. It reveals a view of history lessons as a means of instilling national identity in students, as the past is constructed in nationalist terms and no contradiction is identified in viewing history as both an objective science and a 'nationalizing tool.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 02 August 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate relationship between history education and nationalism within the framework of the prevailing collective memory structures in Poland. Through robust qualitative research involving history teachers, it uncovers the diverse perspectives and approaches these educators adopt in teaching history. Some teachers challenge or negotiate official and hegemonic nationalist memory projects, while others predominantly reproduce or radicalize them. This study sheds light on teachers' tendencies to approach history through the prism of nationalism, revealing a perception of history lessons as a vehicle for instilling national identity in students. The past is constructed in nationalist terms, with no contradiction identified in viewing history as both an objective science and a "nationalizing tool." Furthermore, this book explores the mechanisms through which a dominant nationalist discourse is reinforced through historical education, making it of interest to scholars in sociology and education who specialize in nationalism and memory studies.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 143 x 223 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367463908