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Breakdown misconceptions in historical narratives.

Angela Lee

I am always interested in breaking down students’ misconceptions about certain topics in world history, especially as I have continued to learn material that challenge my own misconceptions or misunderstandings.  For example, I’ve since moved away from teaching the “myth” of Asian isolationism (see Liberating Narratives blog post: https://www.liberatingnarratives.com/eurocentrism-and-the-myth-of-east-asian-isolation/) and my own additional research, and visit to Dejima in Nagasaki in the summer of 2023 confirms that the region was not “isolated” in the way it is portrayed in textbooks or how I’ve taught it in the past. 

Are there any other topics that you may teach about that needs to be “corrected” and how do you approach those topics?

Parents

  • I appreciate your perspective and insights on addressing misconceptions in world history education. Thank you for sharing this. The case of Asia is a solid one. Africa and the narratives surrounding it are another region I feel is covered insignificantly. Gladly, my studies in college significantly deepened my understanding of African history, supplementing my role as a global history teacher.

    The OER World History Project provides excellent resources that actively engage my students. I’m especially drawn to these materials because of their diverse perspectives.  There is extensive coverage of African history, and my students especially enjoy watching videos about Africa. Undoubtedly, Trevor Getz has become a superstar in my AP World History classes! The videos are invaluable because they highlight African agency in the region’s history, a perspective often missing in traditional textbooks.

  • in reply to Mehreen Jamal

      I agree with you completely, and I've been doing more reading these last couple years to better teach about Africa.  I love the work by Trevor Getz!

    I've recently been reading through a book entitled Born in Blackness by Howard French that has been helping complicated the African historical narrative further, and I am already brainstorming ways that I can create lessons from what I am learning. 

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