History of school subjects: reflection on theoretical and methodological aspects of historiographical practice

Abstract

The history of school subjects, one of the newest branches in the history of education, is providing a new look to the act of teaching school subjects. One of its main representatives, the French historian Andre Chervel, believes that the subjects are school productions set to transform teaching into learning. Closely linked to the school culture, the establishment of a subject is surrounded by moments of stability and transformation, or by impact of educational reform, curriculum reorganization, public change, either by changing the teaching method. Aiming to reflect on the theoretical and methodological basis of this historiographical practice, this study examines the close coordination of school subjects with the school culture in terms of relation between rules and purposes governing the school, teacher professionalization, forms of acquire the content. It also examines concepts that allow us to understand how school subjects are conceived as autonomous entities, produced inside the school.