How history became a core subject in Swedish upper secondary schools

Ole Elgström, Mats Hellstenius

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In 2004, history was introduced by a Parliamentary decision as a new core subject in the Swedish upper secondary school system. This event constituted a major break—history now became a compulsory subject for all upper secondary school students after having been subject to a continually diminishing number of teaching hours ever since 1945. This surprising change forms the puzzle that this article seeks to address. Based on interviews and documentary analysis, we map and interpret the decision‐making processes that ended with the Parliamentary decision to make history a new core subject. We add to existing insights about curriculum change by interpreting the process in terms of negotiation, persuasion, and framing and by linking actor strategies to structural—ideational and material—changes that created a window of opportunity for policy entrepreneurs.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)565-580
    Number of pages15
    JournalScandinavian Journal of Educational Research
    Volume54
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

    Swedish Standard Keywords

    • History of Ideas (60104)

    Keywords

    • curriculum change
    • history
    • negotiation
    • policy entrepreneurs

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