Enriching the historiography of religious education: insights from oral life history
Doney, J; Parker, SG; Freathy, R
Date: 29 September 2016
Article
Journal
History of Education
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Publisher DOI
Abstract
This article seeks to exemplify the extent to which oral life history research
can enrich existing historiographies of English Religious Education (RE).
Findings are reported from interviews undertaken with a sample of key
informants involved in designing and/or implementing significant curriculum
changes in RE in the 1960s and ...
This article seeks to exemplify the extent to which oral life history research
can enrich existing historiographies of English Religious Education (RE).
Findings are reported from interviews undertaken with a sample of key
informants involved in designing and/or implementing significant curriculum
changes in RE in the 1960s and 1970s. The interviews provided insights into
personal narratives and biographies that have been marginal to, or excluded
from, the historical record. Thematic analysis of the oral life histories
opened a window into the world of RE, specifically in relation to
professional identity and practice, curriculum development, and professional
organizations, thereby exposing the operational dynamics of RE at an (inter-
)personal and organizational level. The findings are framed by a series of
methodological reflections. Overall, oral life histories are shown to be
capable of revealing that which was previously hidden and which can be
confirmed and contrasted with knowledge gleaned from primary
documentary sources.
School of Education
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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