Teaching Controversial Historical Issues

Tsafrir Goldberg, Geerte M. Savenije

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

After a discussion of the rationale behind teaching controversial issues and the differences between historical controversies and social issues, this chapter turns to the practice of teaching controversial historical issues. We discuss various types of controversy and the specific aspects of historical understanding they address, difficulties that may arise when teaching multiple perspectives on a controversial issue, and several solutions to these problems. Finally, we emphasize the importance of context when teaching controversial historical issues. We consider the ways in which perhaps daunting contexts, such as global society, diverse classrooms, and museums and heritage institutions, may enable the meeting of conflicting narratives and stimulate the teaching of controversial historical issues.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Wiley International Handbook of History Teaching and Learning
Publisherwiley
Pages503-526
Number of pages24
ISBN (Electronic)9781119100812
ISBN (Print)9781119100737
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Mar 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Argumentation
  • Controversial historical issues
  • Diverse classrooms
  • Divided societies
  • Heritage institutions
  • Historical significance
  • Multiple perspectives
  • Museums

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Arts and Humanities

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