Recently, Berghahn Books published the volume Sentive Pasts in the well-known series 'Making sense of history', founded by Prof. Jörn Rüsen. Prof. Maria Grever is one of the book editors. Co-editors are Prof. Carla van Boxtel (University of Amsterdam) and Dr Stephan Klein (ICLON).
The Appeal of Heritage
Heritage, as an area of research and learning, often deals with difficult historical questions in terms of conceptual intricacy, but also due to the strong emotions and political commitments that are often at stake. In this, it poses particular challenges for teachers and their students.
Guided by a shared focus on these 'sensitive pasts', the contributors to this volume draw on new theoretical and empirical research to provide valuable insights into heritage pedagogy. Together they demonstrate the potential of heritage as a historical-educational domain that transcends myopic patriotism, parochialism and simplistic relativism, helping to enhance critical and sophisticated historical thinking.
Research programme
The book derives from the research programme Heritage Education, Plurality of Narratives and Shared Historical Knowledge (2009-2014), funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). Programme and research leader Maria Grever; research leader Carla van Boxtel.
Contributions
The volume contains chapters from various scholars:
- Peter Seixas (University of British Columbia, Canada)
- Keith Barton (Indiana University, USA)
- Alexandra Binnenkade (University of Basel, Switzerland)
- Tsafrir Goldberg (University of Haifa, Israel)
- Sían Jones (University of Stirling, UK)
- Brenda Trofanenko (Acadia University, Canada)
- Bruce Vansledright (University of North Carolina, USA)
- Sheila Watson (Leicester University, UK)
- Chiel van den Akker (VU)
- Pieter de Bruijn (OU)
- Susan Legêne (VU)
- Heleen van Londen (UvA)
- Geerte Savenije (UvA)
- Alex van Stipriaan (EUR)
The editors
Maria Grever is Professor of Theory and Methodology of History, and director of the Center for Historical Culture, Erasmus University Rotterdam. She has led several research projects; currently she leads 'War! Popular Culture and European Heritage of Major Armed Conflicts'.
Carla van Boxtel is Professor of History Education at the Research Institute of Child Development and Education and the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies, University of Amsterdam. She is also director of the Dutch Center for Social Studies Education.
Stephan Klein is a lecturer/researcher of history teaching and historical culture at ICLON, Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching. He led ‘Slave Trade in the Atlantic World’, an education project based on a dynamic approach to heritage studies.