ERIC Number: EJ1149308
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 47
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2327-3585
EISSN: N/A
Examining the Historical Representation of the Holocaust within Trade Books
Bickford, John H., III; Schuette, Lieren; Rich, Cynthia W.
Journal of International Social Studies, v5 n1 p4-50 2015
State and national education initiatives provide American students with opportunities to engage in close readings of complex texts from diverse perspectives as they actively construct complicated understandings as they explore complex texts. Opportunities for interdisciplinary units emerge as the role of non-fiction in English/language arts and informational texts in history/social studies increases dramatically. Trade books are a logical curricular link between these two curricula. The initiatives, however, do not prescribe specific curricular material so teachers rely on their own discretion when selecting available trade books. Scholarship indicates that historical misrepresentations emerge within trade books to varying degrees, yet only a few empirical studies have been conducted. We empirically evaluated trade books centered on the Holocaust, which is arguably the most consequential global event in 20th century. It is also a curricular element of U.S. history, world history, and English/language arts. We report various misrepresentations within the trade books regarding the Holocaust's origins, targeted victims, victim totals, contributors, and recognition of other genocidal acts. We provide ancillary primary sources for teachers interested in addressing or balancing the historical misrepresentations.
Descriptors: European History, History Instruction, Jews, Death, Interdisciplinary Approach, Teaching Methods, English, Language Arts, Victims, Primary Sources, Content Analysis, Historiography, Literary Styles, Social Bias, Ethnic Groups, War, Ghettos, Foreign Countries, Childrens Literature, Adolescents, Adolescent Literature, Qualitative Research, Books
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A