The teaching of history and citizenship, and its role in the construction of national identities, is among the most sensitive aspects of modern education systems. Contemporary Asia provides many examples, Japan’s never-ending history textbook controversies being a case in point. But elsewhere, too – from Hong Kong to Pakistan and Turkey to Taiwan – struggles over school curricula for history and civics have played a crucial role in attempts to shape or reshape identity consciousness and civic values. This course examines some of these conflicts and controversies, encouraging students to critically discuss the issues involved and reflect on their own experiences of history education. It draws on various sources, including the edited collections History Education and National Identity in East Asia (Vickers and Jones, Routledge 2005); Education as a Political Tool in Asia (Lall and Vickers, Routledge 2009); and Constructing Modern Asian Citizenship (Vickers and Kumar, Routledge 2015).
Convener: Dr. Edward Vickers, Dept of Education
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