Historicizing the Uses of the Past

This book presents new developments in Scandinavian memory cultures related to World War II and the Holocaust by combining this focus with the perspective of history didactics. The theoretical framework of historical consciousness offers an approach linking individual and collective uses and re-uses of the past to the question how history can and should be taught. It also offers some examples of good practice in this field. The book promotes a teaching practice which, in taking the social constructivist notions of historical consciousness as a starting point, can contribute to self-reflecting and critical thinking - being fundamental for any democratic political culture.

Helle Bjerg is teacher trainer and researcher at University College Capital, Copenhagen. Claudia Lenz (Dr. phil.) is research coordinator at the European Wergeland Centre for Education on Human Rights, Intercultural Dialogue and Democratic Citizenship in Oslo. Erik Thorstensen is pedagogical adviser at the Center for Studies of Holocaust and Religious Minorities in Oslo.