Influence Education Theory Translation Series - Textbook Political Science

Author: (American) Smith, edited by Shi Dingskai, translated by Hou Dingkai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-25
Features: The textbook is the central element of school education. It is a crucial channel for students to acquire knowledge. On the surface, the knowledge transmitted by textbooks appears neutral, but in reality, they are merely transmitters of "formal knowledge." This knowledge is the result of the interaction of various political, economic, and cultural factors. The factors involved in textbook selection reflect a microcosm of the real forces shaping policies in schools, governments, and other social sectors. The articles in The Politics of Textbooks analyze the various factors influencing the publication, distribution, and adoption of school textbooks. These articles also emphasize the dual nature of textbooks. On one hand, textbooks can be seen as a moral system used by dominant social groups to establish political and cultural order. On the other hand, textbooks can also be seen as a means for the general public to expose the underlying conflicts of interest behind school knowledge and selective traditions. Although the perspectives of the authors differ, they all focus on the issue of schools as a battleground for power struggles. Some of the authors are internationally renowned experts in curriculum and educational policy issues. Some articles analyze the cultural, ideological, political, and economic factors embedded in textbook publishing; others explain how progressive writers, educators, and working people have transformed textbooks; and yet others examine how students select, interpret, and resist the "legitimate knowledge" presented in textbooks. Synthesizing the views of these articles, we can see that cultural political economy highlights the ongoing struggles surrounding textbooks, and the core issue of textbook politics is: how to win the hearts and minds of students!