A Question of Identity? Purpose, Policy and practice in the Teaching of History in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Alan McCully, Fionnuala Waldron

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    Abstract

    This chapter traces the evolution of history education, north and south of the Irish border since partition of the island in 1921. It begins with an historical overview of the situation common across Ireland prior to partition. Subsequent developments in history provision in elementary, primary and early secondary education are traced in each of the two jurisdictions that emerged after partition, the Irish Free State, which became the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. In each case, the educational and political imperatives of each, which shaped these changes, and resulted in divergence, are identified, analysed and compared. Evidence is drawn from the dominant literature in each jurisdiction and on relevant curriculum documents. The chapter concludes by demonstrating that in a post-modern, increasingly globalised world, shared educational ideas and political aspirations emerging from the Irish peace process are acting to bring the respective history curricula back into symmetry and, thereby, providing opportunities for increased co-operation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationIdentity, Trauma, Sensitive and Controversial Issues in the Teaching of History
    EditorsHilary Cooper, Jon Nichol
    Place of PublicationNewcastle upon Tyne
    PublisherCambridge Scholars Publishing
    Chapter1
    Pages2-24
    ISBN (Print)978-1-4438-8092-3, 1-4438-8092-2
    Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Nov 2015

    Keywords

    • Ireland
    • History Education
    • National Identity
    • Education and Conflict
    • Historical consciousness
    • Identity
    • Irish Free State
    • Master Narrative
    • Memory
    • Narrative
    • National curriculum
    • Nationalism
    • Northern Ireland

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