The emotional dimension of history education: Examining policy, content and interaction through the example of 1860s Sweden

Abstract

Emotions play a significant role in history education, yet their impact remains a subject of debate. This theoretical article investigates how integrating perspectives on emotions from the humanities, particularly the history of emotions, can enrich research in history didactics and educational history. It proposes a three-step analytical model to examine the evolving role of emotions by focusing on (1) policy, (2) content and (3) interactions. This model facilitates research on emotions in history teaching in both contemporary and historical contexts, with a focus on the representation of emotions through language. The analytical framework is tested through a case study of history education in the 1860s Swedish grammar school. The author argues for recognising emotions as a crucial component of history education and incorporating concepts from the history of emotions into both didactics and educational history. This approach offers new insights into the emotional dimensions of history education, highlighting opportunities, challenges and areas of conflict.