NL needs history teaching

            We, historians at Memorial University, were pleased to see a request to respond to a survey, but were quite alarmed when we reviewed the proposed changes to the intermediate (junior high school) curriculum, as the time allotted to social studies is meant to be reduced by about half. We are already concerned about the removal of history as a mandatory subject in all school curricula. We are worried that further reductions in the teaching of history will erode the literacy of Newfoundland and Labrador students and their capacity to live as engaged citizens.

First, we firmly believe that in the current global political climate the need for historical literacy has never been greater.

In the case of various recent events, we have seen concepts such as fascism, genocide, imperialism, and nationalism bandied about, but are not confident that there is a good understanding of their meaning.

Further, the commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples finally appears as important domestically and abroad. Such reconciliation requires an understanding of the history of European settlers and Indigenous populations (and even of the Vikings) to have informed conversations.

A strong commitment to building a more inclusive society requires an understanding of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or anti-Black racism, all of which draw on long histories moving from the ancient and medieval worlds to the present.

Our very students have told us repeatedly how historical education provides them with the capacity to negotiate a world increasingly shaped by disinformation, fake news, and machine-produced texts and images.

Second, the study of history is essential to the development of literacy: learning to read and write in non-fiction builds critical interpretative and communication skills. History provides a wide range of opportunities for engaging student interest at every stage of learning.

Our province has a unique history ranging from the earliest Indigenous peoples through maritime activities to our central position in the development of North Atlantic security with the Atlantic Charter and the United Nations.

There are excellent economic opportunities for students who are literate in such history in our tourism and cultural industries, and more. Further reductions in the amount of time dedicated to education in history will have a negative impact on students’ abilities to pursue such opportunities.

We are constantly impressed by Newfoundlanders’ and Labradorians’ commitment to history. This is always apparent in the commemorations of 1 July and 11 November of the tremendous sacrifices made at Beaumont-Hamel and in other military service, but also in the thirst for history apparent in bookstores, periodical publications, and popular culture. We should be emphasizing now the great service rendered in friendship by the people of this province to Americans, whether in the rescue of crewmembers of the Truxtun and Pollux in 1942 or the hospitality we extended to Americans stranded here during 9/11. The study of history builds on existing societal strengths here in Newfoundland and Labrador to create a reservoir of talent for the citizens and decision-makers of tomorrow, to shape a resilient society able to respond effectively to global challenges.

We respectfully request that the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education reconsider reducing the number of hours devoted to social studies in the junior high curriculum, and consider reintroducing history as a mandatory subject at the junior high and high school levels. We applaud the willingness to engage in difficult curriculum reform; now is the time to effect real, positive change.

 

Rainer Baehre, Professor, Historical Studies, Grenfell

Edwin Bezzina, Associate Professor, Historical Studies, Grenfell

Dominique Brégent-Heald, Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Sean Cadigan, Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Justin Fantauzzo, Associate Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

James K. Hiller, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, St. John’s

Michael D. Kirkpatrick, Associate Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Kurt Korneski, Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Maria Mayr, Associate Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Matthew Milner, Adjunct, Department of History, St. John’s

Sébastien Rossignol, Associate Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

John Sandlos, Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Robert C.H. Sweeny, Emeritus Professor, Department of History, St. John’s

Jeff Webb, Professor and Head, Department of History, St. John’s