The Current and Required Representation of the Topic of Slovenian Emigration in Curricula of Primary and Secondary Schools within the Republic of Slovenia – A Conceptual Framework to Re-Evaluate the Role of the Topic of Emigration in Curricula of Primary

The proposed project is devoted to the analysis of the current representation of Slovenian emigration topics in primary and secondary school curricula, textbooks and other learning materials. Through this analysis, the project aims to form a proposal on the topics of Slovenian emigration that would need to be included in school curricula, textbooks and other learning materials. The project scope also includes the research and proposal of methods necessary for the (inter-)institutional realization of these efforts.

Project Goals

• An analysis of the current representation of the topic of Slovenian emigration in Slovenian primary and secondary schools, with special emphasis on school curricula, textbooks and other learning materials used for the subjects: Slovenian studies, history, geography, civic education, patriotic education and ethics, sociology and society.
• To conduct, on the basis of the aforementioned analysis, a research into the impact of curricula, textbooks and other learning materials on the awareness of the emigration issue among the population of primary and secondary school-goers.
• To identify the level of awareness of Slovenian emigration among primary and secondary school-goers, as well as within the main social strata of the Slovenian population in a given region.
• A proposal of select topics from both the history and concurrent state of Slovenian emigration that would need to see inclusion in school curricula, textbooks and other learning materials of selected subjects, but also in cross-curricular activities.
• A proposal of well-researched methods to institutionally realize the project and bring to fruition a higher representation of Slovenian emigrant topics – both within the Slovenian school system, as well as the mind-set of the Slovenian populace.

Research Methods

The research work will consist of a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. It will start with a review of existing research and literature on the project topic. The research will be based on a comparative analysis of existing curricula, textbooks, and other learning materials used for the following subjects: Slovenian studies, history, geography, civic education, patriotic education and ethics, sociology and society. Through an online survey, the project will assess the level of familiarity of primary and secondary school-goers with the topic of Slovenian emigration. The same will be done for the main social strata within a selected region. Tangible methods to institutionally realize a higher representation of Slovenian emigrant topics – both within the Slovenian school system, as well as the mind-set of the Slovenian populace – will be researched through in-depth interviews with people responsible for the planning and modifying of curricula, textbooks and other learning materials used for the aforementioned subjects. Content suggestions will be based on research results, the study of literature, and the many years of pedagogical experience that the members of the research team have.