History Education and National Identity in Northern Ireland.

Alan McCully, K.C. Barton, Margaret Conway

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    Abstract

    This article reports findings from two studies of students’ perceptions of identity and national history in Northern Ireland. These findings indicate that students identify with a wide range of historical topics and that they consider school the most important influence on their understanding of national history. Findings further indicate, however, that students’ historical identifications narrow during Key Stage 3 and become increasingly focused on Protestant/Unionist or Catholic/Nationalist heritage. The article considers the implications of these findings for history education in the region.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)31-43
    JournalInternational Journal of Historical Learning, Teaching and Research
    Volume3
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Oct 2003

    Bibliographical note

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    Devine-Wright, P. (2001) ‘History and Identity in Northern Ireland: An Exploratory Investigation of the Role of Historical Commemorations in Contexts of Intergroup Conflict’ Peace and Conflict, 7 (4), pp 297-315.
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    McBride, I. (1997) The Siege of Derry in Ulster Protestant Mythology Dublin, Four Courts Press.
    Stewart, A. T. Q. (1977) The Narrow Ground: Aspects of Ulster, 1909–1969 Belfast, Northern Ireland, Blackstaff Press.
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    Keywords

    • Northern Ireland
    • Key Stage 3
    • National identity
    • Student perspectives

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