It Happens Here: Teaching the History of Illiberalism in the United States

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 2:15 pm - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: History, Social Studies, and (Critical) Inquiry

Abstract

History and social studies education has always justified its place in the curriculum by claiming to teaching democracy. Yet, amidst surging global illiberalism, there is limited evidence that high school classrooms are providing students the background knowledge to interpret and confront antidemocratic movements. Using the United States and its domestic history of fascist parties as a case study, this article examines how popular conceptual frameworks for social studies education are ill-equipped to address this content. Reading against the hegemonic narrative of school history and academic frameworks for controversial history, difficult history, and critical whiteness studies, this article posits a potential future for social studies education to counter illiberalism by teaching for democracy, teaching democratically, and thinking across borders and time.

Author

• Lightning Jay, Binghamton University - SUNY