Year
1986
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Education and Human Services
Degree Name
Master of Education (MEd)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Dr. Lynne Schwab
Second Advisor
Dr. Elinor A. Scheirer
Third Advisor
Dr. Thomas Leonard
Abstract
It was the purpose of this project to determine whether the interests of United States' nationalism had influenced the textbook coverage devoted to Latin America. The review of related literature supported the value of curriculum with a global orientation and the importance of an objective understanding of the Latin American-United States relationship.
This study reviewed eight (8) world history textbooks. Seven (7) of the books were on the latest state adopted textbook list for Florida. One (1) text was currently in use in advanced World History classes in Duval County (Florida). The eight books were reviewed using a textbook evaluation form devised for this project. The findings indicated that the world history textbooks followed a traditional western civilization approach. The degree of coverage devoted to Latin America varied from a few pages to more than 100 pages.
The shared events with the United States that were described in the texts, were generally non-controversial topics. Textbooks had an encyclopedic approach rather than a generalization orientation. This author concluded that Latin American coverage lacks negative stereotyping. The coverage also lacks topical coverage of current events. Specific recommendations included the inclusion of historical and current events to aid students in critically evaluating the topics while developing their own interpretations of the United States-Latin American relationship.
While United States nationalism does not seem to be a factor in negative stereotyping, it may have lead to the avoidance of presenting controversial topics in the Latin American-United States relationship.
Suggested Citation
Piscitelli, Stephen V., "The Relationship of United States' Nationalism and Textbook Coverage of Latin America" (1986). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 9.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/9