Subject Knowledge

by Ivor F. Goodson

Published 17 September 1997
School knowledge has been a subject for historians, notably in the field of history of education. concentrating on the educational aspects of particular historical periods, however, links with contemporary education have often remained undeveloped.; This text attempts to account for the growth of increased interest by sociologists and others in school subjects since the 1960s. Goodson's analysis of his own work in the UK and North America examines the range of insights afforded of the nature of schooling and teaching through the study of school subjects.

School subjects and how they are viewed and positioned within education is the focus of this text. It argues that, as part of rethinking the whole school curriculum, there has been a failure to look at the historical and social background of school subjects.