Unveiling National Narratives : The Value of Local Level Historical Comparative Case Study Analysis / Karen Poland.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Poland, Karen, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Narrative inquiry (Research method).

Right and left (Philosophy).

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

London : SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025.

Summary:

Curricular battles within the United States are often simplified as ideological clashes between progressive and conservative forces. One notable example is the Harold Rugg textbook controversy of the 1930s. This case study discusses how historical-comparative case study methodology was used to evaluate the reliability of the popular narrative used to describe the controversy. This research methodology is valuable when seeking to confirm, explain, and broaden our understanding of any generally accepted narrative that has emerged because of a social phenomenon. This case study sought to determine whether and how local curricular battles aligned with how the Rugg controversy is generally portrayed today. Data collection included historical and documentary investigations from the national and local levels as well as primary and secondary sources such as interviews, news articles, community organization archives, and document analysis to craft two local-level community histories. These local histories were interwoven with the national story and then compared. Investigating the intersection of national forces and dominant ideologies with the unique contexts of each community revealed insightful commonalities and differences in how localities embrace, respond to, and manage national events, particularly those involving curricular battles. The comparative approach reveals much about the forces affecting and influencing local decisions and how they align or diverge from the national narrative. By identifying unique local factors such as a community's origins, culture, morals, values, and influential individuals, this study refined and broadened our understanding of an event in time and offered new details that may support or challenge the currently accepted perspective. [This content is provided in the format of an e-book.].

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-03-621358-7

9781036213589

OCLC:

1523168820