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Palgrave Handbook of Research in Historical Culture and Education pp 427–447Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Power of Story: Historical Narratives and the Construction of Civic Identity

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Abstract

This chapter builds on the concepts of historical culture and historical consciousness to examine the relationship between history education and civic education, particularly regarding the role of historical narratives in the construction of civic culture and identities understood in the framework of New Civics. New Civics has redefined civic education, expanding the concept of civic action beyond conventional participation in electoral politics. Haste and Bermudez explore how civic engagement processes are situated in particular contexts in which participants establish social interactions and dialogue. The participant is considered an active subject, whether a student learning history or an engaged citizen embedded in cultural practices. Narratives in general, and historical narratives in particular, are considered prime cultural tools for these interactions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Helen Haste

  2. Center for Applied Ethics, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain

    Angela Bermudez

Authors
  1. Helen Haste
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  2. Angela Bermudez
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Campus de Cantoblanco, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Mario Carretero

  2. Ruhr Universitat Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Stefan Berger

  3. Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Maria Grever

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Haste, H., Bermudez, A. (2017). The Power of Story: Historical Narratives and the Construction of Civic Identity. In: Carretero, M., Berger, S., Grever, M. (eds) Palgrave Handbook of Research in Historical Culture and Education. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52908-4_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52908-4_23

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-52908-4

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