The history curriculum and its personal connection to students from minority ethnic backgrounds
Whereas history is seen by some as crucial in developing a sense of identity and fostering social cohesion, it is however, often based around narrowly nationalistic views of the past, and yet little is known about how students relate to the past they are taught. Thus, this paper focuses
on the history curriculum and the ways in which students aged 12–14, from different ethnic backgrounds, relate to it. Moreover, the small-scale study which enabled this paper, focused, in particular, on whether students enjoyed and valued history and whether they felt any sense of personal
connection to the topics studied. Drawing on survey data collected from 102 students and focus group discussions with 42 students, from two high schools, the findings indicate that although many students enjoy history, they fail to fully understand its value. Additionally most students, especially
those from minority ethnic backgrounds, feel a lack of personal connection to the past, as they do not see themselves in the history they are taught.
Keywords: connection; history curriculum; identity; minority ethnic students
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 04 July 2014
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