Constructing Europe and the European Union via Education
Contrasts and Congruence within and between Germany and England
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Abstract
This article is based on an analysis of the treatment of the European Union in a sample of textbooks from Germany and England. Following contextual remarks about civic education (politische Bildung) in Germany and citizenship education in England and a review of young people's views, we demonstrate that textbooks in Germany and in England largely mirror the prevailing political climate in each country regarding Europe. At the same time, the analysis reveals a disparity between the perspectives presented by the textbooks and young people's views. The textbooks in Germany provide more detail and take a more open approach to Europe than those in England. Finally, we argue that the textbooks may be seen as contributing to a process of socialization rather than one of education when it comes to characterizations of Europe.
Contributor Notes
Eleanor Brown is a lecturer in the Department of Education at the University of York. Email: eleanor.brown@york.ac.uk
Beatrice Szczepek Reed is a professor of language education and the head of the School of Education, Communication and Society at King's College in London. Email: beatrice.szczepek.reed@kcl.ac.uk
Alistair Ross is a Jean Monnet ad personam professor, a title awarded by the European Commission, and a professor emeritus at the London Metropolitan University. Email: alistairrosslondon@gmail.com
Ian Davies is a professor in the Department of Education at the University of York. Email: ian.davies@york.ac.uk
Géraldine Bengsch is a postdoctoral research associate at King's College in London. Email: geraldine.bengsch@kcl.ac.uk