Conflicting Narratives in Norwegian Textbooks: A Study of Norwegian History Textbooks from 1946-2008

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Conflicting Narratives in Norwegian Textbooks: A Study of Norwegian History Textbooks from 1946-2008

Longva Vaeth, Susann - Thesis

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title: Conflicting Narratives in Norwegian Textbooks: A Study of Norwegian History Textbooks from 1946-2008

creator: Longva Vaeth, Susann

subject: Academic theses.

description: This research paper explores not only how content has changed over time in Norwegian textbooks, but look at the influential factors, such as political climate and trends in world history narratives. After reviewing Norwegian history textbooks from the 1940s to 2000s, all approved by the Department of Education and used in public schools, this paper examines ideologies, ideas, and political agendas in the textbooks and how they change over time. The paper argues that the textbooks do not show a linear progression of history, but instead reveal different discourses. The history textbooks are used as political tools, reflecting the political climate of that time which have been influenced by political agendas. Integration or national identity is synonymous with progress, in the earlier textbooks, meaning an embrace of Western culture and industrialization, but in the 1990s and 2000s, textbooks focused on the degree to which societies adopted multiculturalism as a measurement of progress. Norwegian history curriculum attempts to establish a role for Norway in the world and an identity that intersects with the European identity. In the process of creating a distinct Norwegian identity, the textbooks rely on the use of “others” and the Norwegian involvement with the UN as an advocate for world peace. As the political landscape changes, so does the formation of identity. Norwegian textbooks initially demonstrate a critique of Western hegemony in the 1970s, which resurfaces in the 2000s. The critique of Western hegemony is not a consistent escalation of commentary, but conflicting ideas and changing criticism over time that shapes the narrative. It is closely linked to the political climate, and is stronger in the 1970s with the GLOBAL series but then diminishes in the 1990s only to escalate again after the events of 9/11. The increased critique of dominant world powers closely links to globalization, and the textbooks often portray the world as a global community. Norway’s increasingly multicultural population is reflected in the increased focus on globalization and renewed national identity.

publisher: Simmons College (Boston, Mass.)

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date: 2018

type: Text

format: 1 PDF (60 Pages)

identifier: td_his_2018_slv

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language: English

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rights: Material from the Simmons University Archives collections are made available for study purposes only. For more information, or to request rights to reproduce or reuse any material, contact the University Archives at archives@simmons.edu.

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