Teaching and Learning Difficult Histories in International Contexts : A Critical Sociocultural Approach

Grounded in a critical sociocultural approach, this volume examines issues associated with teaching and learning difficult histories in international contexts. Defined as representations of past violence and oppression that are contested in the present, difficult histories can evoke emotional, often painful, responses in the present. Teaching and learning difficult histories is contentious yet necessary for increased dialogue within conflict-ridden societies, reconciliation in post conflict societies, and greater social cohesion in longstanding democratic nations. Focusing on locations and populations across the globe, chapter authors investigate how key themes¿including culture, identity, collective memory, emotion, multi-perspectivity, historical consciousness, historical distance, and historical amnesia¿inform the teaching and learning of difficult histories.