Abstract:
The present dissertation aims to investigate the socio-political implications of the representation of the Asian continent inside Italian history textbooks. The work is divided in three parts. The first part consists of the analysis of some history textbooks used in Italian schools during the thirties, the fifties and the seventies of the twentieth century. Special attention is given to the remands on Asian history and to the socio-political context in which these texts were produced and used.
The second part focuses on the MIUR, i.e. the Italian institutional authority in matter of education. In particular, the reforms and guidelines of last governments will be examined, as these are the vehicle thorough which the political will on learning is spread to citizens. Following, some history textbook currently in use will be analyzed, taking into account different point of views as of editors, teachers and students.
The third and final part concentrates on the reasons and ways in which the history of Asia is currently handled more attentively. This change spreads in the light of “new ways” to look at history (plural histories, global history). The research tries to examine the socio-political logic and purpose of the developing of these “new histories”. Especially, it shall focus on the “civic” role they are meant to serve, considering in particular their gradual introduction into schools, the institutional symbol par excellence of the formation of future citizens.
