This study examines how history teachers in upper secondary schools approach the teaching of contemporary history, focusing on the period from 1991 to the present. The aim is to investigate the content of this teaching, the motivations behind it, and the perceived opportunities and challenges. Using Ronald W. Evans' typology of historical perspectives, the study also seeks to identify which views of history are most prevalent in contemporary history teaching. Data was collected through a combination of surveys and semi-structured interviews with history teachers. The results reveal that the teaching of contemporary history differs from regular history instruction, with a stronger emphasis on global events and conflicts. Teachers with a relativistic view of history, who promote a global perspective and prioritises students' interests, are particularly advantaged using contemporary history in this context. In contrast, those with a narrative perspective, who prefer a chronological and Eurocentric approach, face more challenges, particularly regarding time constraints and the use of materials. The study highlights that teachers' selection of topics and methods is heavily influenced by students' interests and current societal debates, contrasting with the more rigid structure of traditional history teaching. Overall, contemporary history teaching enhances students' historical consciousness by connecting past events with current issues, although it requires students to have a foundational understanding of the historical events discussed. The study concludes that a relativistic perspective is best suited for teaching contemporary history, given its adaptability to current global contexts and its alignment with students' interests.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hj-64880 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Svan, Gustav |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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