Back Then, Over There, Never Here, Never Now: Fascism According to K-12 Social Studies Standards

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 5:10 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Intersecting Histories, Ideologies, and Identities: Unpacking Curriculum Representations in Social Studies Education (Table 9)

Abstract

In this content analysis of K-12 social studies standards, researchers examined how, and in what contexts, the idea of “fascism” is represented along with how and if instantiations of American fascism, such as the demise of Reconstruction, invite examinations of fascist politics. The findings revealed: (1) With few exceptions, states that mention “fascism” overwhelmingly situate it within the interwar-WWII period and mainly as an un-American regime and (2) Mentions of Reconstruction vary in the degree to which they name and invite discussions about fascism. The study highlights the need for curriculum writers and social studies teacher educators to rethink when and how fascism is discussed and taught through their work.

Authors

• Rob Martinelle, Boston University

• Joseph Lake, Boston University

• Lauren Funk, Boston University