«Why History Education?» Digital Conference of the International Society for History Didactics (ISHD)

The question about the sense of history education has recently arisen vehemently. The mediation of history has to assert itself in the field of tension of power, economy and society. History teaching at schools has come under pressure in many places. On the one hand, it can be seen that, in different places, history teaching is instrumentalized for reinforcing nationalism. On the other hand, history as an independent school subject is, in many places, about to disappear from the curricula. Not least, the strong focusing of many school systems on usefulness raises questions as to what, in fact, the study of history might contribute to the understanding of the present and the functioning of society. This basic uncertainty concerning the aim and sense of history education stands in a strange contrast to the public sphere where a veritable boom of historical culture can be experienced. But, also there, the confidence in the orientating function of history for the present and future is small. Most strongly, all these questions emerge in particular when the history of one’ own country is conveyed. The conference thus opens up a wide field. The contributions made at the conference focus on at least six thematic areas: Purpose of Teaching History, Identity and Conflicts, History as a subject - independent or integrated, Heritage Education/Remembrance Culture, Educational Organization and Concepts and Access to History Education. Programm