http://activehistory.ca History Matters Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:46:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Abstract The content of history textbooks and curriculum is an important factor in the political socialization of succeeding generations of students. This study of representative classroom textbooks authorized for use in Ontario at three distinct eras of the 20th century shows how the main lines of interpretation have shifted over time. ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/03/new-active-history-paper-citizenship-literacy-and-national-self-identity-by-larry-a-glassford/ by Steven Maynard “What does a queer, sadomasochistic philosopher have to do with the study of Canada’s past?” This is the question I ask students at the beginning of my first-year survey course on Canadian history. Over the years, colleagues have suggested that first-year undergrads aren’t ready for Foucault. But experience ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/03/activating-foucault-for-canadian-history/ by Jeremy Nathan Marks Historical writing has long suffered from the problem of auto-referentiality. Auto-referentiality, as I define it, simply means historians are writing only in reference to human subjects and human problems. I don’t mean to say that historiography is populated only by human beings but we do not currently ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/03/history-and-the-problem-of-auto-referentiality/ What if my supervisor disagrees with what I write? What if someone in the community sends me a nasty email? What if the editor ignores my article? There are plenty of excuses young historians turn to when they convince themselves not to write opinion pieces for the newspaper. But, there are ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/03/canadian-historians-in-the-newspaper/ Two weeks ago the  Telegraph in the United Kingdom ran a story announcing that due to government cutbacks the department of history at the University of Sussex has decided to end research and in-depth teaching on topics related to pre-1700 English social history and pre-1900 European history.  Under the new ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/03/active-history-and-learning-from-the-early-canadian-past/ Left History is currently seeking submissions from new and established scholars for a special theme issue on the emerging field of Active History. Working in collaboration with the editors of ActiveHistory.ca and drawing on the discussions that were initiated at the Active History: History for the Future Conference held at Glendon ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/02/cfp-left-history-theme-issue-on-active-history/ By Krista McCracken People naturally forget things over time.  Details become vague, memories cloudy, and events are never recalled exactly as they occurred.  The act of recording history assists in preserving an authentic version of the past.  The way in which the past is remembered and recorded has drastically changed as ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/02/promises-prospects-and-pitfalls-of-digital-memory/ Here is an announcement for 'Words on the Wall,' which is a fundraiser for plaques that will commemorate this 19th century patient-build wall in Toronto, Ontario. Help us put Words on the Wall The Psychiatric Survivor Archives of Toronto (PSAT) is giving out bricks to serve as the basis for a work ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/02/announcement-words-on-the-wall/ A controversy has erupted over the past week surrounding how Canadians should remember Louis Riel, a 19th century Métis who not only led the 1869 Red River and 1885 Northwest Rebellions, but also negotiated the terms for Manitoba’s entry into Confederation in 1870 before his execution in 1885 for ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/02/the-historical-memory-of-louis-riel-a-long-standing-canadian-debate/ By Teresa Iacobelli In March 2010 the Qikiqtani Truth Commission (QTC) will draw to a close with the release of a final report and recommendations for the future.  While the QTC has been ongoing since 2007 most Canadians remain unaware of its existence, and of the historical and social issues that ... http://activehistory.ca/2010/02/acts-of-contrition-rethinking-the-purpose-and-effect-of-government-apologies/