A Study on the Awareness of Reflective History in Education: The Case of Nicosia

Abstract

This study was carried out in Nicosia to evaluate the society’s awareness of history reflected in education. The research was conducted to determine the differentiated historical effects through education to create the city brand identity of, Nicosia, symbolizing both the northern and southern parts. Semiotics and descriptive analysis techniques, which are among qualitative research methods, were used. The fact that there has been no research in terms of city brand identity reflected through education covering both the northern and southern parts of Nicosia makes the study unique. This research aims to promote interdisciplinary social representation that addresses the ways in which social and cultural respond to the needs of the people on the island as a whole after obtaining history lessons through education. Both Greek and Turkish society chosen randomly has revealed information about the city identity and brand identity regarding their history education. It was found out that all of the participants learnt the traces of many different civilizations dominated the island of Cyprus are the common intersection points of the city. Therefore, an integrated logo was proposed as a graphic design study for the city brand identity as a reflection of history teaching and learning, which may cover all of the northern and southern parts’ cultural symbols of Nicosia.